Ruth Coppinger (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
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602. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the steps she will take to ensure that a company (details supplied) will publish a report for Ireland showing the number of requests for information which the State had sought from the company; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31673/14]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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The company contacted my Department prior to publication and was requested not to disclose certain statistical information in its report. This was done for sound reasons of public policy related to national security and the investigation of serious crimes which may be hindered by the publication of such information. Particular concerns arise in Ireland given the small size of the jurisdiction and the specific terrorist threat posed by paramilitary groups.

The operation of Ireland’s legislation governing lawful interception and access to call-related data is subject to independent judicial oversight and reports are made annually to the Taoiseach which are laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas. There is also an independent Complaints Referee procedure whereby persons who believe that their communications have been accessed in breach of the legislation governing such access can have the matter independently investigated. This function is carried out by a serving Judge of the Circuit Court.