Gavan Reilly: Reds under the bed is more than a red-top folly

The sensational news report about a Russian asset serving as a TD or Senator at least meant a respite from speculation about the timing of the election. On Monday, instead of every conversation concluding with a chat about perspective election dates, it was instead about the possible identity of ’Cobalt’.

The story behind the story should not be seen as just salacious gossip. The natural instinct when hearing about politician facing possible blackmail over a “honeypot” sting operation sounds like something from a spy novel, but in truth that is often the way things work.

The more important principle is that, if the story is true – and the carefully considered silence of senior state figures would appear to confirm so – then it at least confirms the premise that it is possible to compromise an elected official in such a way.

Should we play down the significance of that. in Brexit, and more recently over events in Gaza, Ireland has proven itself capable of influencing mainstream European thinking. It is completely plausible that an outside foreign actor might want to undermine the Irish consensus, so as to noble the future direction of EU policy.

Remember, too, that it’s not long since concern was raised about the use of Chinese manufactured CCTV cameras around Leinster House. The fear then was that Chinese operatives would have some hidden access to the cameras. That fear seems rather marginal compared to the presence of a walking, talking asset.

The real sensitivity is about the reputation of politics as a whole. Is there a risk now that all politicians will be tired with the same brush, and anyone who dares to, voice an unpopular view is simply written off as acting in bad faith? On the cusp of an election, that cynicism is the last thing Irish politics needs.