Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, Socialist Party)
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373. To ask the Minister for Defence the position regarding the recent revelations of surveillance of telephone calls within the State by GCHQ in Cheltenham, England; if the Defence Forces employ any counter-surveillance measures; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1466/15]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 and the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act, 2009 provide authority for intelligence gathering and 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 oversight with reports submitted to the Taoiseach by designated judges appointed to review the conduct of the Acts. These Acts also provide that such reports are laid before each House of the Oireachtas. The Defence Forces Intelligence Branch provide s regular assessments, reports and briefings to the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Defence and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, relating to possible threats to the security of the State and to national interests. The Branch maintains a very close and effective working relationship with their counterparts in An Garda Síochána.

For security and operational reasons, it would not be appropriate for me to make any further comment in relation to this matter.