Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 June 2013
33. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Defence the extent to which the Defence Forces Directorate of Intelligence cooperates with intelligence agencies in other countries to conduct remote electronic surveillance; if his attention has been drawn to any instances of such surveillance being conducted upon the communications of Irish citizens here by foreign intelligence agencies; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29128/13]
View answerThe Defence Forces Intelligence Branch provide regular assessments, reports and briefings to the Chief of Staff, the Minister for Defence and the Secretary General of the Department of Defence, relating to internal or external threats to the security of the State and to national interests. Intelligence led liaison is conducted between Intelligence Branch and national authorities in other countries to counter any threat to the security of the State. The Intelligence Branch also maintains a very close and effective working relationship with their counterparts in An Garda Síochána.
The Defence Forces adheres to the provisions of all legislation regulating the conduct of intelligence gathering. The Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act, 1993 does provide the Defence Forces with the authority to conduct intelligence led operations involving surveillance, electronic communications and stored electronic information in order to safeguard and maintain the security of the State. The Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 also provides for surveillance to be conducted by the Defence Forces in order to safeguard the security of the State.
These Acts also provide a system of judicial supervision with reports to be submitted to An Taoiseach by designated judges who are appointed by the President of the High Court to review the conduct of certain sections of the Acts. The relevant legislation further provides that a copy of such reports is laid before each House of the Oireachtas.
In all cases, the capabilities provided to the Defence Forces are the subject of both Ministerial and Judicial oversight and to the restrictions and safeguards as outlined in the legislation.
