Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 19 February 2014

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions

Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality

5:05 pm

Photo of Helen McEnteeHelen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

In the past week or so, there have been many statements, counterstatements, accusations, counteraccusations and arguments. Heads are spinning from all the information, so my questions will be straightforward.

Were the offices of GSOC bugged? If they were, by whom? If not, then why are there accusations that there was a security breach and information leaked from GSOC? Will this review give a definitive answer? The last thing people want is a review claiming there may or may not have been bugging or it may or may not implicate someone. If it is a review of the papers in question, how can the retired High Court judge come to definitive conclusions without hearing witnesses or technical experts?

Two weeks prior to the commencement of these events, the Minister announced his intention to bring forward four proposals to amend the 2005 Garda Síochána Act. Will the outcome of the review change this?

Does the Minister believe the committee should be given full disclosure of documents or information that GSOC may or may not have so it can deliberate on it properly?

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