Eamon Ryan is set to get a 'pedalling protection officer' while carrying out Government business on his bike.

Gardaí recently decided that all members of Cabinet should get Garda protection officers in a bid to increase security.

The Green Party leader is the only minister who doesn’t use a ministerial car and regularly travels to work on his bike.

As result, he is in talks with Gardaí about securing a mounted officer to work protection while he is cycling.

His protection detail will also occasionally be in a car, depending on how the minister is travelling.

Eamon Ryan arriving at Dublin Castle for Cabinet, 04-11-2021. Image: Leah Farrell/RollingNews

Speaking on his way into Cabinet this morning, the Tánaiste Michéal Martin said Gardaí are closely monitoring ministerial security in light of recent incidents both home and abroad.

He said the measures are necessary to protect those most vulnerable to attack.

“It is a matter that the Garda Commissioner and the Gardaí are keeping a watching brief over and obviously, given what has happened in other jurisdictions and so on, it is an issue that deserves ongoing consideration,” he said.

“Basically, it is a matter for the Gardaí to advise on what are the best strategies to deploy in situations where elected representatives might be vulnerable or subject to attack.

“That is the situation.”

More follows ...

with reporting from Aoife Kearns at Government Buildings.