Vol. 404 No. 6
54 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Justice if he will outline the procedures whereby phones are tapped; his views on whether such procedures are not governed by express legal rules; if he accepts the need for statutory safeguards; and the reason legislation has not been circulated by the Government in this regard.
The procedure in relation to the issue of warrants by the Minister for Justice for the monitoring of telephone calls has been outlined in the House on a number of occasions. I would refer the Deputy to the detailed reply given by the then Minister for Justice to a series of questions on 17 February 1972 (Vol. 258, cols. 2136 to 2145).
The power to intercept telephone communications has a statutory basis in the Postal and Telecommunications Act, 1983.
With regard to the question of providing further statutory safeguards for interceptions, Deputies will be aware that the Programme for Government 1989-1993 contains a commitment to introduce legislation to regulate the interception of telephone communications. It is my intention in line with that commitment to have appropriate legislation prepared as soon as possible. However, Deputies will appreciate that I have a very heavy legislative programme and it is not possible for me to give a precise indication as to when this legislation will be ready.
