Vol. 493 No. 2
3 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to reports suggesting that a serving member of the Garda Síochána was involved in surveillance of RTE journalists (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15576/98]
As I indicated in my reply to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 7, 18, 28, 41, 45, and 69 of 14 May 1998, the Garda Commissioner ordered an investigation into the alleged surveillance of two journalists employed by RTE. On being interviewed by a senior garda officer investigating the matter, neither journalist was able to provide direct evidence of surveillance taking place.
The Garda investigation of these allegations remains open, but so far, no evidence has come to light which would enable the Garda to submit a file to the Director of Public Prosecutions seeking directions for prosecutions. The suggestion that a serving member of the Garda Síochána was involved in the surveillance operation, if there was one, is a very serious matter. I am informed by the Garda authorities that, as matters stand, the Garda are not aware of the reports suggested. Furthermore, according to the Garda authorities, at no stage during the investigation was there any suggestion that a serving member of an Garda
Síochána was involved in the alleged unauthorised surveillance of the two journalists in question, nor did evidence of such activity come to light. However, if anyone has any information on this aspect of the matter, I exhort him to contact the Garda immediately.
(Mayo): Is the Minister aware that an explicit allegation was made recently in The Phoenix of 5 June which states that: “The man suspected of keeping watch on the RTE watchers is well known to them. He should be.”
It is not in order to quote at Question Time.
(Mayo): It went on to suggest that he is one of the most prolific snoops in the country and is not a member of the Army rangers but is a serving detective. Is the Minister aware that this allegation is on the record and that there would seem to be a fair amount of evidence to sustain it? What steps have been taken to establish who exactly was carrying out surveillance on the two journalists — George Lee and Charlie Bird — who broke a public interest story and did a marvellous service by uncovering one of the biggest banking scandals in history, where customers, big and small, were systematically ripped off by a bank over a long period?
The Deputy should not go into detail but should confine himself to asking supplementary questions.
(Mayo): What has happened in investigating the allegation that these people were the subject of quite detailed surveillance?
I cannot say anything further. There was an investigation by the Garda authorities and neither journalist was able to provide direct evidence of surveillance taking place. Obviously the question of whether surveillance took place is a matter for the Garda Síochána. The Garda Síochána could not find that evidence. Neither could they find evidence that surrveilance was not taking place. In the absence of some evidence it is clear the Garda investigation cannot proceed any further at this time. I emphasise the allegation was and is being treated seriously and if further information comes to light the Garda will certainly investigate it. In the meantime the file remains open.
