Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 8 Jun 1995

Vol. 454 No. 2

Written Answers. - Special Branch Surveillance.

Declan Bree

Question:

70 Mr. Bree asked the Minister for Justice if it is the policy of her Department to have members of the Garda Special Branch carry out surveillance on Labour members of the Oireachtas and Labour Party members participating in Labour Party activities; the reason members of the Garda Special Branch recorded the names of Labour Party members who participated in the 1916 Easter Commemoration Ceremony in Sligo on Easter Monday, 17 April 1995; the purpose of this Special Branch surveillance; if she intends to tender an apology to the Labour Party organisation in Sligo/Leitrim; if she will give an assurance that her Department will issue instructions to the Garda authorities not to carry out surveillance of Labour Party meetings and so that members of the Special Branch will not record the names of Labour Party members attending the event in future; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10484/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

I am informed by the Garda authorities that the presence of members of the Garda Síochána at the ceremony to which the question relates was, in accordance with established practice for all such ceremonies, for the purpose of ensuring that there was no unlawful interference with the ceremony and to preserve the peace.

The Garda authorities have assured me that it is not the policy of An Garda Síochána to carry out surveillance on Labour Party members of the Oireachtas, or Labour Party members participating in Labour Party activities.