Watch: Senators deny they are Russian agents

A number of Senators have been voluntarily declaring to the Upper House that they are not Russian spies.

A report in The Sunday Times alleging that a member of the Oireachtas was recruited as a Russian agent has prompted speculation about their identity.

Fianna Fáil's Timmy Dooley was the first to declare it was not him, calling on his colleagues to do the same.

"There has been some rumours circulating that members of the Upper House have been involved with Russia, and there may or may not be a spy in our midst," he said.

"It is important in order to avoid any potential stain on this house that members would voluntarily make a statement that they are not the subject of any investigation or that they have never been in the clutches of Russia," he said.

"And before I sit down, I can declare that I am not such a person. I hope every body will use the opportunity to declare that they are not a Russian spy."

Cathaoirleach of the Seanad, Jerry Buttimer, reminded the House that no name has been mentioned, adding "Senator Dooley, I, like you, am not one of those people either".

Fianna Fáil Senator, Fiona O'Loughlin, took to her feet to say it was not her while Fine Gael's Marie Byrne said: "I want to declare I am not one of them either."

Another Fianna Fáil Senator, Malcolm Byrne said: "Can I say that I am not a spy and I have no doubt that Senator Dooley isnt a Russian spy either."

Referring to Senator Dooley's Fianna Fáil colleague in Co Clare, he said: "Himself and Cathal Crowe are spending so much time keeping an eye on each other, the Russians wouldn't be up to them!"

Taoiseach Simon Harris said earlier this week that Russian activity in Ireland should come as no surprise to anyone.

The Sunday Times reported that Russian intelligence allegedly used a "honeytrap" to recruit an Irish politician as an agent during Brexit negotiations, with the aim of undermining relations between Britain, Ireland and the EU.

The paper also reported that while the Irish military and security services identified the potential agent, code-named Cobalt, they remain in the Oireachtas.

Following the Cobalt controversy, former Foreign Affairs Minister Charlie Flanagan has proposed training for all Oireachtas members on espionage, "particularly in the context of a significant intake of new Oireachtas members after the impending general election."