Departmental Investigations

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 25 March 2014

Tuesday, 25 March 2014

Questions (623)

Clare Daly

Question:

623. Deputy Clare Daly asked the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources further to Parliamentary Question No. 39 of 11 March 2014, in view of the fact that he has previously requested ComReg to undertake certain investigations, if he will ask ComReg the reason for the steps they have taken, or intend to take, to investigate the unlicensed transmission identified by the reported broadcast of a UK GSM cellular ID in the Middle Abbey Street area near the GSOC headquarters in the Verimus report. [13785/14]

Written answers

Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources

The Commission for Communications Regulation (ComReg) is the statutory body responsible for the management of spectrum in Ireland. Comreg is independent in the exercise of its functions and is accountable directly to the Oireachtas in accordance with Section 34 of the Communications Regulation Act 2002. The investigation of any alleged unlicensed radio transmissions including any subsequent remedial actions is a function of ComReg and I have no function in this matter.

The Government has appointed retired High Court Judge John Cooke to conduct an Independent Inquiry into Reports of Unlawful Surveillance of the Garda Ombudsman Commission and to report within eight weeks or as soon as may be thereafter. The Terms of Reference, which were agreed by Government on the advice of the Attorney General, are in the public domain, and include a review and assessment of any evidence of a security breach or attempted security breach at the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission.