asked the Minister for Justice if he is aware of the report in which Mr. Deasy stated that he was satisfied from his last telephone conversation from NFA House on the 25th October that the line had been tapped; if he has any statement to make on the matter; and if he can assure the House that at no stage was there any tapping of these lines so as to destroy the privacy of such telephone conversations.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Telephone Tapping: NFA President's Statement.
95.
I do not understand what public purpose is served by the Deputy's question, seeing that on the day that the allegation was made an official, categorical denial was immediately issued by my Department and the denial was published in the daily newspapers.
The position in relation to the interception of telephone communications has been publicly stated in the Dáil on many occasions and is as follows.
Telephone communications may be intercepted only pursuant to a warrant issued under the hand and seal of the Minister for Justice, that is to say, a warrant not only authorised personally but signed personally by the Minister. Such warrants are granted only where required for security purposes or for the prevention or detection of serious crime, information as to which could be got in no other way.
Would the Minister say if it is done without a warrant?
No.
The Minister for Posts and Telegraphs can do it.
It cannot be done without my sanction.
If it is done illegally, it would be done without a warrant.
My reply indicates that it does not happen, except under my personal authorisation.
Maybe the Minister did give official authorisation in this case.
Emphatically not.