Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

The covert surveillance legislation will be brought to the Government next week. Deputy Rabbitte did introduce a Bill in this area but it had major flaws in it, particularly regarding its oversight provisions. His Bill proposed that the oversight of covert surveillance by the Garda Síochána would be a function of the Garda Ombudsman's office. That is objectionable as they are the very people supervising the Garda but, according to the Deputy's Bill, would also have oversight in covert surveillance matters.

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