Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)

Section 9 is a technical provision that provides for the retention of materials for three years, or until they are no longer required. I introduced amendments on Committee Stage which we believe will provide additional safeguards with regard to the destruction of this material.

The complaints referee and the designated judge have very specific remits within the legislation outside the core provisions of the Bill, sections 4 to 8, which will provide for a system of authorisation approval governing surveillance. The remit does not extend to a supervisory role with regard to the retention of documents and therefore I do not believe it is appropriate. We already have safeguards in the legislation as amended on Committee Stage.

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