Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I too have serious concerns about surveillance in Ireland. We have not had much assurance in the past couple of years. We do not measure up to international best practice and this is an excellent opportunity to address many of the issues and concerns people now have in this area.

I found it interesting that the Association of Garda Sergeants and Inspectors was so eager to jump all over GSOC again, and it is laughable how it reacts sometimes. I read a very good letter in The Irish Timesthis morning by Ray Leonard. He stated:

I would suggest that any journalist aggrieved by GSOC’s actions should make a complaint under section 109 of the 2005 Act and seek a review of those actions by a High Court judge. I would be surprised if such a review found GSOC to have acted excessively but in the event that it did, then the public, the Garda Síochána (and the journalists) have a right to know and to ensure that such actions are corrected. This would also serve to assist GSOC in testing its processes and providing needed external quality control.

He has brought a bit of balance to the debate. I would again reinforce the need to protect the communication facilities of all citizens, not just journalists.

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