(South Tipperary) asked the Minister for Justice the time limit, if any, to warrants authorising telephone tapping, the number of such warrants issued annually over the past five years, and the rank of the officer detailed to actually record such conversations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Tapping of Telephones.
71.
There is a standing instruction that warrants are not to be kept in use for longer than needed and in addition all warrants are reviewed at regular short intervals and are continued in force only if the need for continuation is positively established.
It has never been the practice to disclose the number of warrants issued as it is quite obvious that to do so would not be in the public interest. It is obvious also that it would not be in the public interest to give details about the operation of the system.
Is it not a fact that this practice is illegal?
I am afraid not.
Could the Minister say is there any minimum rank below which an officer is not detailed for this particular work, as there is in respect of other functions where a minimum rank is stipulated?
In the public interest, I am not prepared to give any details whatever as to the operation of the system, as none of my predecessors was prepared.
When in doubt reach for the public interest.