Vol. 482 No. 3
309 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the inquiries or Garda investigations which have been carried out in the Department of Foreign Affairs over the past decade regarding concerns over the leaking of departmental data; the result, if any, of each inquiry or investigation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17936/97]
The expression "leaking of departmental data" has no legal definition and, of itself, may or may not constitute a criminal offence. However, depending on the circumstances, the unauthorised communication of official information may constitute an offence under the Official Secrets Act, 1963.
Given the difficulties with classification, in the period in question there have been two Garda investigations into the alleged unauthorised disclosure of information from the Department of Foreign Affairs. In the first case, a file was referred to the law officers, but no prosecution was taken. The investigation in the second case is ongoing.
