Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

Gardaí have to follow a procedure that is set down if they wish to get interception. That has to be approved by the Minister and in the case of a complaint the role of the complaints referee is also laid down in legislation. I have outlined already what has to happen. If the Complaints Commissioner upholds a complaint, he can inform the complainant of this in writing. He reports his findings to me. I have not received any findings. If he sees fit, he may, by order, do one or more of the following: he can quash the authorisation to intercept under the Act, he can direct the destruction of the copy of communications intercepted, or he can recommend the payment of a sum to the complainant by way of compensation. All of this procedure is laid down in legislation.

As regards questions concerning data in companies and other systems and whether they are properly controlled and maintained, I cannot answer because I do not have the facts.

See this speech in context