Leinster House is to increase security measures, including installing a scanning system for all visitors, after a “material escalation in the level of threat to a member”.

The Committee on Procedure and Privileges met Garda Supt Frank Clerkin, Deputy Supt Michael O’Sullivan and the captain of the guard at Leinster House to discuss proposals aimed at protecting politicians at their place of work.

These include a special entrance for visitors to the Dáil and Seanad, increased lighting at the Kildare Street entrance and a maximum of five visitors a member.

The Houses of the Oireachtas also suggested TDs and Senators be held responsible if a guest of theirs engages in disorderly conduct. Groups should not be allowed to “loiter” around the halls of Leinster House, it said.

The meeting was called after Fine Gael TD Catherine Byrne was allegedly confronted while walking to her car on Kildare Street last Wednesday. Ms Byrne is believed to have been “verbally accosted” by a member of the public who was present for a Sinn Féin Private Members motion on the recognition of Traveller rights.

A memo given to the committee by the Houses of the Oireachtas said Ms Byrne was in “absolute shock” and “visibly upset”. The House claimed this was “material escalation” in the alleged harassment of TDs and Senators at their place of work.

The 10 TDs on the committee, including Ceann Comhairle Seán Barrett and chief whip Paul Kehoe, agreed the need for a scanning system to be put in place and also to the creation of a separate entrance for visitors and for increased lighting.