Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 July 2016
116. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if the Government has sought for the scope of the Pitchford inquiry into undercover policing by the British state to be extended to cover Ireland, especially given that it is known that at least one person (details supplied) operated here and visited at least four locations in 2014. [22101/16]
View answer117. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána was aware of the undercover activity carried out by a person (details supplied) here; and, if so, if it gave permission to the British state for an undercover agent to operate here. [22102/16]
View answer118. Deputy Jonathan O'Brien asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if An Garda Síochána was not aware of a person's (details supplied) undercover activity here, if it sought an explanation from its British counterparts as to who instructed the agent to operate here; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [22103/16]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 116 to 118, inclusive, together.
The Undercover Policing Inquiry was established by the UK Authorities in March 2015 to inquire into and report on undercover police operations conducted by English and Welsh police forces in England and Wales. As the Deputy will understand, its establishment was a matter for the UK Authorities and the issue of requesting the extension of a UK inquiry into matters which may be related to this jurisdiction does not arise.
I would emphasise to the Deputy that to the extent that and for so long as the person to whom the Deputy refers was present in this jurisdiction, he would, naturally, have been subject to Irish law. In respect of any allegations of criminal wrongdoing that may be made, any person who has any evidence of any criminal activity should make that information available to An Garda Síochána in order that it can be investigated.
While An Garda Síochána co-operates with police services in other jurisdictions in respect of a range of intelligence-related matters in accordance with operational needs, I am advised by the Garda Authorities that it is not the practice to comment on the detail of any individual cases of such co-operation.
