Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Yes, we discussed this on Committee Stage and I brought forward an amendment to subsection (5). The subsection reads, "The Minister may authorise in writing the retention of any of the documents referred to in this section where he or she considers it necessary to do so having regard to .....(d) the interests of justice." That would be the criterion under which the documentation could be retained generally. We had a discussion about the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission earlier as to whether it should have surveillance powers. We drafted the provision in line with emerging human rights law internationally and believe it will cater for the situation outlined by the Deputy.

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