Written answers

Tuesday, 18 February 2014

Department of Defence

Defence Forces Operations

Photo of Seán Ó FearghaílSeán Ó Fearghaíl (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)
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599. To ask the Minister for Defence with regard to the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993 and section 6(1) thereof, the number of applications for authorising an interception in the interests of the security of the State that have been made by the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces since 9 March 2011; if any such applications have been accompanied by a recommendation in writing by him supporting the application; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [8091/14]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan 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.

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