This weekend, it was once again confirmed to me that, in this country, we do not understand security or intelligence. Under the Irish intelligence system, the Garda is double-hatted – this is unlike the situation in any other state – and is responsible for both intelligence and policing. We find that the head of intelligence is now likely to be hired from abroad. Just think about that for a minute. Would, for example, MI5 employ someone from the CIA to run it? It is absolute nonsense that we would consider bringing in a foreigner to head up our intelligence service. I have never heard anything like it in my life. It makes us an international laughing stock. I ask that the appointment of the head of intelligence be stopped at this point until we have time to get someone who understands intelligence and security issues.

This is quite racist.

Employing a foreigner to head up our intelligence system is beyond belief. It would happen in no other country in the world. Even some of the banana republics manage to have their own intelligence and security. At the end of the day-----

May I raise a point of order?

Will Senator Craughwell allow Senator Seery Kearney to contribute for 30 seconds?

I would delightfully give way to Senator Seery Kearney.

I thank the Senator. On a point of order, we have something called employment equality, which also covers race. One cannot adjudicate on someone on the basis of race and exclude him or her from applying for a job on that basis.

Hear, hear.

That is the law of our country. Apart from the racist sentiments, I would have thought that the intelligence services of Ireland would benefit greatly from someone from a bigger intelligence agency coming in and bringing all of that experience with him or her. I do not think that, just because someone is a foreigner, he or she will give away all of our secrets. It is contrary to the law of the land.

I might just reply.

For the benefit of Members, under Standing Order 39, a Member who is in possession can give way to another Member for 30 seconds and not lose any time. It allows people to clarify-----

It would not be allowed under martial law.

My good friend and colleague has just confirmed to me that Fine Gael does not understand intelligence.

I understand employment law.

Employment law-----

What Senator Craughwell is saying-----

We are talking about the head of intelligence. No country in the world-----

What we are talking about-----

-----would appoint a person from outside the jurisdiction to head up intelligence. That, as far as I am concerned, is something we-----

That is shockingly racist.

It is not racist.

It is.

It is far from racist. It is plain common sense.

It is not at all. It is racist.

I shall leave it at that.

Senator Clonan is asking to intervene as well.

Sure.

We have had Irish people in charge of MI5-----

Yes.

-----and foreign intelligence agencies.

He is actually from Sneem in County Kerry.

Long living in the UK.

All politics is local. We have not put up a plaque dedicated to him, though, by the way.

Intelligence reigns supreme in Sneem.

Intervention in debate is allowed in the Seanad under Standing Order 39, but the person in possession must give permission.

I always do.

Everyone knows that. Next up is Senator Murphy.