Vol. 533 No. 3
285 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he can give an assurance that the telephone of a person (details supplied) in Dublin 11 is not being tapped; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9040/01]
The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 provides, inter alia, for the lawful interception of telecommunications messages. It has never been the practice and it would be contrary to the public interest and, indeed, the legislation itself to disclose if an authorisation to intercept has been given. However, section 9 of the Act provides for a complaints referee to investigate complaints of alleged contraventions of the Act. It is open, therefore, for the individual concerned, if he considers that there may have been a contravention of the Act, to apply to the complaints referee for an investigation into the matter.
