The Taoiseach Leo Varadkar has strongly criticised people who send suspicious packages in the post to public figures.
It comes after the Defence Forces said a suspicious powder sent to the Department of Health in Dublin city centre earlier was non-hazardous.
The department re-opened after an earlier evacuation, when a suspicious package was sent to Health Minister Simon Harris earlier.
An envelope containing a suspect material was discovered and the premises on Baggot Street was evacuated at around 11:30am.
The Department of Children is located in the same building, and staff members say Minister Katherine Zappone was inside at the time.
The road has re-opened after members of Dublin Fire Brigades Hazardous Materials unit and the Army Bomb Disposal Unit examined the scene.
The building was cleared for access just after 2.30pm, the Department of Health said in a tweet.
The emergency services have now cleared access to the building. Staff may return as required.
— Department of Health (@roinnslainte) March 4, 2019
The Defence Forces said an envelope containing a powder was inspected on-site and deemed non-hazardous by technicians.
It was then handed over to An Garda Síochána for further examination.
The incident on Baggot Street is of a HazMat nature. All resources are in place to resolve the incident. There is no danger to the public. Baggot Street Lower is still closed, and we ask the public to respect the emergency cordons. @aaroadwatch @DCCTraffic pic.twitter.com/ZpaPqHmkdZ
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 4, 2019
Mr Varadkar has said people should know that post does not even reach the politicians directly.
"I'm not sure what sort of oddballs send suspicious packages in the post, but they should be well aware that it's not the politician whose going to be opening the mail.
"It's somebody in doing a normal job - it could be a receptionist, could be a security guard, could be a clerical officer or somebody working on a constituency team.
"If you want to come after us, come after us - but don't come after our staff or our families".
We're finishing up at the incident on Baggot St, one lane still blocked although the street has reopened. Thanks for your patience. Stock 📸 pic.twitter.com/KFTyTzebi8
— Dublin Fire Brigade (@DubFireBrigade) March 4, 2019
Minister Harris earlier thanked the emergency services for their response to the incident.
"The safety of staff must always be paramount. Today was a difficult day for them all and particularly those who work so closely with me in my office", he said.
Thank you to the emergency services for their diligence today in responding to an incident at my Department. The safety of staff must always be paramount. Today was a difficult day for them all and particularly those who work so closely with me in my office
— Simon Harris TD (@SimonHarrisTD) March 4, 2019
Additional reporting: Jack Quann
