Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Bill 2009

Public bill · Government · Presented

Sets rules for covert surveillance by the Gardaí, Defence Forces and Revenue Commissioners to investigate serious offences and protect State security. Usually, a District Court judge would need to approve surveillance for up to three months, while urgent cases could proceed for up to 72 hours with senior-officer approval; tracking devices would require written internal approval. It would require records, protect and restrict access to surveillance material, create a complaints and compensation process, and provide oversight by a High Court judge. Surveillance evidence could still be used in court despite some procedural errors, subject to the Bill’s conditions.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to provide for surveillance in connection with the investigation of arrestable offences, the prevention of suspected arrestable offences and the safeguarding of the State against subversive and terrorist threats, to amend the Garda Síochána Act 2005 and the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 and to provide for matters connected therewith

Last updated 12 April 2018