Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 2 Oct 2003

Vol. 571 No. 3

Written Answers. - Garda Operations.

Aengus Ó Snodaigh

Question:

266 Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of paid police informers here; the guidelines they operate under; the guidelines their Garda handlers operate under; if the attention of the Garda authorities has been drawn to all payments and inducements made to such informants; and if immunity from prosecution is routinely or ever offered for crimes committed or planned. [21808/03]

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

The matters referred to by the Deputy in his question are operational matters for the Garda Síochána. I am advised by the Garda authorities, however, that it is not the practice to publicly disclose details of such matters as to do so would seriously compromise their effectiveness.