Seán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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315. To ask the Minister for Defence the number of telecommunications or postal intercepts that he or his predecessors have authorised in each of the past five years on foot of a request from the Defence Forces; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [51702/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 sets out the conditions under which, in the interests of the security of the State, authorisation may be granted for interception by the Defence Forces of certain postal packages and telecommunications messages. The capabilities of the Defence Forces in this area are subject to the restrictions and safeguards that are outlined in the legislation. These include a system of judicial supervision, with reports submitted to the Taoiseach by a designated Judge appointed by the President of the High Court. These reports are then laid before each House of the Oireachtas. For security and operational reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to provide the details sought in the question.