Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

As far as I am concerned some problems with its modus operandi may need to be ironed out because it is in a learning process and not operational that long. The covert surveillance Bill is well advanced and I will shortly ask Government to allow publication of the scheme of the Bill. The general approach in the Bill will be that applications will be made on judicial authorisation although there are exceptions in very urgent circumstances. The overall situation will be subject to judicial oversight.

Regarding the members in charge and the issue of detention, I can confirm that there is an ongoing system of training of gardaí. There is an emphasis on the issue of detention. The tribunal recommended that the system whereby senior Garda officers approve an extension to the period of detention of a suspect should be improved by enhancing the decision-making process through better recording of the decisions. I believe the Garda Commissioner has already anticipated that in a directive that issued in 2005.

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