Bernard Allen
Question:373 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to control the use of electronic listening and receiver devices which are a serious threat to personal rights. [21103/97]
Written Answers. - Listening Devices.
Bernard Allen
Question:376 Mr. Allen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to control the use of electronic equipment that monitor faxes and mobile phones which are a threat to personal rights and privacy. [21107/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 373 and 376 together.
The Law Reform Commission, in its Consultation Paper, Privacy: Surveillance and Interception of Communications, consider a wide range of issues concerning the use of electronic listening and receiver devices and the threat that they pose to privacy. When the final report becomes available, I will give careful consideration to any relevant recommendations made by the commission. I think that it would be wrong to prejudge the outcome of that examination now.
As regards the use of electronic equipment designed to monitor fax and mobile telephone communications, the Deputy will be aware that interception of telecommunications is regulated by the Postal and Telecommunications (Regulation) Act, 1993 which provides that, I, as Minister with responsibility under the Act, may authorise warrants permitting lawful interception on foot of applications by the Garda Síochána or the Defence Forces. It is already an offence under the provisions of the Postal and Telecommunications Services Act, 1983, to intercept telecommunications messages without lawful authority.