Seán Sherlock (Cork East, Labour)
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310. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when he received the Murray report; and when he plans to publish it. [39134/17]

Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The former Chief Justice, Mr. John L. Murray, was commissioned in January 2016 to examine the legislative framework in respect of access by statutory bodies to communications data of journalists held by communications service providers, taking into account the principle of protection of journalistic sources; the need for statutory bodies with investigative and /or prosecution powers to have access to data in order to prevent and detect serious crime; and current best international practice in this area.

Mr. Justice Murray's report sets out a very detailed and comprehensive analysis of the law in what is a complex and evolving area of law. On receipt of the report in April 2017 it was forwarded to the Attorney General for consideration and advice, against the background of recent findings in this area of the law by the Court of Justice of the European Union. Mr. Justice Murray has taken account of those findings in his review.

Detailed advice has been received and it is now being considered in the context of an ongoing assessment of the need for measures to address the findings of the Court of Justice. Following that, the report will be brought to the Government with a view to its publication.