asked the Minister for Posts and Telegraphs if he will state whether officials of the Post Office or members of his Department listen in to, or make records of private telephone conversations, or whether records of such private telephone conversations are made in his Department; and, if so, whether he will state the circumstances in which, and the purposes for which, this is done.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Conversations.
The answer to the first part of the Deputy's question is in the affirmative. This is done in very exceptional cases and where the public interest requires it and then only in obedience to warrants issued in those cases by the Minister for Justice.
Records of private telephone conversations are made by the Department of Posts and Telegraphs?
Yes.
Can the Parliamentary Secretary say the statutory authority by which that is done?
I am afraid I could not.
Will the Parliamentary Secretary inform us whether we inspired this practice in Northern Ireland, or are we following the example of Northern Ireland?
It has not been introduced in the last two years.
It is a reprehensible practice whenever it is followed.