US Surveillance in EU Institutions

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 2 October 2013

Wednesday, 2 October 2013

Questions (24)

Seán Fleming

Question:

24. Deputy Sean Fleming asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade the reason the European External Action Service still has not received clarification from the United States authorities in relation to alleged surveillance by the United States at European Union offices; the reason he has not received clarification from the United States embassy in Dublin in relation to these allegations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41197/13]

Written answers

Tánaiste and Minister for Foreign Affairs and Trade

Following allegations of US surveillance of European Union institutions earlier this year, the EU has engaged regularly with the US authorities in both Washington and Brussels to seek clarification on the issues raised. An EU-US High Level Expert Group on data protection has been established, where this and related matters are discussed. The EU is represented on this working group by the Commission, the Presidency of the Council and the European External Action Service (EEAS), and the work of the group is ongoing. In addition, the EEAS reported to EU Member States in July that High Representative (HR) Cathy Ashton had raised these allegations with both US Secretary of State John Kerry and with National Security Advisor Susan Rice. I understand that HR Ashton intends to raise EU concerns again with her US interlocutors over the coming weeks. Ireland, through our Permanent Representation to the European Union in Brussels, is monitoring developments on this issue closely.