Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Mar 1993

Vol. 428 No. 5

Written Answers. - Telecommunications Interception.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

41 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice the reason proper procedures are not being followed by the Garda in relation to the interception of telecommunications in respect of mobile telephones; how the equipment acquired by the Garda for such interceptions was described in her departmental estimates when submitted to the Dáil; the description used in her Department estimates as submitted to Dáil Éireann in relation to equipment required by the Garda for use in mobile telephone conversation interceptions.

Alan Shatter

Ceist:

48 Mr. Shatter asked the Minister for Justice when a scanner system for listening into eircell phone discussions was acquired by the Garda Síochána; the cost of the system acquired; the number of occasions on which it has been used; and the reason this system is being used to intercept conversations without proper ministerial authorisation.

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Geoghegan-Quinn)

I propose to answer Questions Nos. 41 and 48 together.

Scanning receivers are part of the equipment used in the Garda telecommunications section for checking internal Garda transmissions and for tracing radio interference. I am informed by the Garda authorities that the equipment is not used for intercepting conversations to cellular telephones.

The equipment in question is purchased under sub-head E of the Garda Vote and typically costs in the region of £400 to £500 per unit.