Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

225. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of requests for the tapping or interception of conversations on mobile or landline telephones that have been approved in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32646/13]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

226. To ask the Minister for Defence the regulations or judicial protections that apply to requests for the tapping or interception of conversations on mobile or landline telephones here; if he will outline the procedure that applies for such requests; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32647/13]

Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

227. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of requests submitted for the interception of communications through a mobile or landline telephone belonging to a journalist or politician that have been submitted in the past year; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32648/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

I propose to take Questions Nos. 225 to 227, inclusive, together.

The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 and the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 provide for surveillance to be conducted by the Defence Forces in the interests of the security of the State.

The powers provided to the Defence Forces in these Acts are subject to the restrictions and safeguards that are outlined in the legislation, including a system of judicial supervision with reports submitted to An Taoiseach by designated judges appointed by the President of the High Court to review the conduct of the Acts. These Acts also provide that such reports are laid before each House of the Oireachtas.

For security and operational reasons, I am not in a position to provide the details sought of any such surveillance.