Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 21 May 2003

Vol. 567 No. 2

Written Answers. - Telephone Communications.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

245 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of orders signed for telephone wiretaps per year for the past ten years up to 15 May 2003; if any of these authorised wiretaps have resulted in convictions; if so, the number; and the offences for same. [14061/03]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. McDowell)

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 details of authorisations to intercept.