Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 July 2018
252. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the comprehensive code of practice on covert human intelligence sources will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31180/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra253. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the handling of a person (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána was part of the covert human intelligence sources system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31181/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra254. Deputy Gerry Adams asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the oversight authority for covert human intelligent sources reviewed the role and handling of a person (details supplied) by An Garda Síochána; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31182/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 252 to 254, inclusive, together.
As the Deputy is aware, detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes for the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) by An Garda Síochána are set out in the Code of Practice referred to by the Deputy.
The Deputy will understand that it is the policy not to comment on the specifics of the operation of the CHIS system as this would be contrary to the public interest. This longstanding policy is adopted for sound reasons of security, the protection of the lives and safety of individuals and so as not to hand advantage to those who would do harm by undermining the use of this important investigative technique by the Garda Authorities. It is never confirmed or denied whether or not an individual person is assisting the Gardaí in this context.
I want to assure the House that appropriate mechanisms are in place to ensure that procedures for the operation of CHIS are complied with fully and that compliance is kept under active and ongoing 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 exercised since 2010 through the appointment of a former Judge of the High Court as the Oversight Authority for CHIS. Since then a detailed and comprehensive annual examination of the operation of the system has been carried out and reported on in detail. It has not been the practice to make these reports public given the nature of the detail contained in them.
