Dáil Éireann Debate, Monday - 11 September 2023
1134. Deputy Aengus Ó Snodaigh asked the Minister for Justice if the policy directive relating to the handling of covert human intelligence sources published on 9 June 2022 has been reviewed; if so, if it is intended to publish that review; if a process is in place to ensure that the tri-annual review set out thereafter is scheduled; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [38015/23]
View answerI am advised by An Garda Síochána that the Covert Human Intelligence Source (CHIS) Policy has been subject to an initial 12 month review and will be subject to review every three years thereafter. The 12 month review resulted in no amendments to the policy, which remains accessible to the public on the Garda website. Any future changes to the CHIS Policy will be reflected as appropriate.
I can further advise the Deputy that mechanisms are in place to ensure full active compliance with procedures for the operation of CHIS and that this is kept under ongoing supervision and review. The system is subject to internal review on an ongoing basis by the Garda Authorities, including routine review by a senior officer independent of the operation of the system.
In addition, independent, external oversight has been established since 2010 through the Oversight Authority for CHIS which carries out a detailed and comprehensive examination of the operation of the system on an annual basis.
The Deputy will appreciate that given their nature, it has not been the practice to make these reports public.
