An Garda Síochána

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 8 March 2022

Tuesday, 8 March 2022

Questions (449, 450, 451)

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

449. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the purpose of the email address [e-mail]; and the date upon which the account was set up. [12691/22]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

450. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice the number of emails in the inbox of the email account [e-mail]; the number of emails in the sent items of that account; the frequency with which the email account is monitored; and the process through which emails received by the account are monitored. [12692/22]

Peadar Tóibín

Question:

451. Deputy Peadar Tóibín asked the Minister for Justice if emails received by the email account [e-mail] which are written in foreign languages are responded to. [12693/22]

Written answers

Minister for Justice

I propose to take Questions Nos. 449 to 451, inclusive, together.

The Blue Blindfold website was set up in October 2008 by my Department as a medium for the reporting of suspicious activity in the area of Trafficking in Human Beings. There is a dedicated email address [e-mail] and a 24/7 contact number, 1800 666 111 provided on the website.

I am advised by the Garda authorities that emails received at the Blue Blindfold mailbox that are written in foreign languages are translated and assessed by Detective Sergeants attached to the Human Trafficking Investigation and Coordination Unit (HTICU) at the Garda National Protective Services Bureau (GNPSB), and responded to accordingly.

I am also advised that An Garda Síochána’s Information Communication Technoloy (ICT) Department have examined your request regarding; the number of emails in the sent items of that account; the frequency with which the email account is monitored; and the process through which emails received by the account are monitored.  I am advised that ICT have no simple method of determining the amount of emails sent or received from a mailbox over the period requested, and that the logs that ICT would maintain would be kept for a period of approximately 30 days only

I am further advised that a significant and disproportionate amount of Garda resources would be required to fulfil this particular part of your request and that, in light of the complexities outlined above, An Garda Síochána is not in a position to provide the information you have sought.

Question No. 450 answered with Question No. 449.

Question No. 451 answered with Question No. 449.