Vol. 471 No. 7
285 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice her views on the danger to the effectiveness of the Criminal Assets Bureau of unauthorised leaks to the press regarding their operations; whether her attention has been drawn to published photographs of detectives in the context of articles describing them as participating in Criminal Assets Bureau operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20312/96]
287 Mr. M. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice her views on the danger to the effectiveness of the Criminal Assets Bureau of unauthorised leaks to the press regarding their operations; whether her attention has been drawn to published photographs of detectives in the context of articles describing them as participating in Criminal Assets Bureau operations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20313/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 285 and 287 together.
The Criminal Assets Bureau is responsible to the Garda Commissioner for the performance of its functions and I am assured by the Garda authorities that the highest standards of confidentiality and security are applied to all bureau operations. The Deputy's questions refer to unauthorised leaks to the press regarding the bureau operations. Any inference that such a leak could have emanated from the Garda or from within the bureau itself is no more than speculation
Any such leak could not be condoned as it would put in jeopardy the success of the bureau operations and could endanger bureau officers involved.
In relation to the depiction of members of the bureau in press photographs while engaged in their duties on 3 October 1996, the view of the Garda authorities is that, due to the sensitive nature of the work of the bureau, the publication of such photographs could not be considered appropriate. I agree with this view.
The Criminal Assets Bureau Act, which became law on 11 October 1996, provides, inter alia, that it is an offence to publish or cause to be published the fact that an individual is a civilian officer (other than the bureau legal officer) or member of the staff of the bureau, or that an individual is related to any officer or member of staff of the bureau. Media organisations have been made aware of the legal restraints that apply when reporting on the activities of the bureau.
