Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)

I am aware the authority to authorise interceptions is a matter for the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform. Since I presume that power is exercised judiciously, I have no concern about it. I am concerned, however, to know the Taoiseach's response to the view of the Assistant Data Protection Commissioner that perfectly innocent people are having their private records pored over. There were 10,000 applications from the Garda Síochána alone, which is an extraordinary number, almost 30 per day. Will the Taoiseach address this incredible number of resorts to this power? Is the Taoiseach concerned that the Assistant Data Protection Commissioner made these remarks?

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