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Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Through the Chair.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: We agreed an hour ago that there would be three questions. I ask the Minister to accept my apologies because-----

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I ask the Minister to respond to the questions put.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: The Deputy will get a chance when the Minister has finished. I will allow the Deputy back in when the Minister has finished for his final question. I invite the Minister to proceed.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is there another question you need to answer?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Deputy, you have one final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Can the Deputy clarify his first question?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That has been dealt with, so I am not opening up again. Thank you Deputy. I call on Deputy Creighton.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Yes, you have three questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: In respect of the peer review, did the Minister's Department advise him that Rits would have the same experience and technological expertise in respect of surveillance and counter-surveillance as Verrimus? Does he see both companies at the same level of competence and expertise? He is comparing like with like. It is an important clarification.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I am asking the Minister because he presented the evidence from Rits. I am asking the Minister and his Department.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Would the Minister like one of his department officials to comment?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Do you wish to clarify something, Deputy?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Deputy, has your question been answered?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: If Deputy Creighton is satisfied with the responses, I will ask the Secretary General a question on a point of clarification. In his view, has the Rits company the same level of experience in surveillance and counter-surveillance as Verrimus? If this is so, should the committee take heed of the analyses from both companies?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Is Mr. Purcell saying that the experience and expertise of this company is commensurate with that of Verrimus?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: I thank Mr. Purcell.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: That is an important question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Just to clarify, it has been widely reported that there has been a leak of the Verrimus report from GSOC. The Senator is asking about a report in the media yesterday which was almost identical to the Rits account that the Minister gave to the Dáil last night and today. What is the Minister's view?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions: Security and Surveillance Issues: Minister for Justice and Equality (19 Feb 2014)

Pádraig Mac Lochlainn: Please allow the Minister to give his response.