Garda surveillance technology
Deputy Kelly asked about Israeli surveillance technology used in investigations and oversight of its use by State agencies. The Taoiseach said the issue was the user, not the technology itself, and outlined the legal and judicial controls governing State surveillance.
Yesterday, again, on "Prime Time", journalist Joe Galvin raised the issue of the Israeli company Cellebrite used by the PSNI to crack the phones of journalists Barry McCaffrey and Trevor Birney. There has been an overlap in personnel between the PSNI from that time and An Garda Síochána since then. It has also been reported that Meta, which owns WhatsApp, announced that up to 100 journalists' phones were compromised by another Israeli company, Paragon Solutions. This is right on our doorstep, up North and across the water. Will the Taoiseach guarantee to this House and the public watching that no journalists, public representatives or members of civic society are in any way being targeted with the use of such technology by any arm of the State? What is the Government doing to protect our communications from spyware, particularly the use of WhatsApp, which has now been compromised in many jurisdictions?
Comment on this
That technology, I understand, was used to solve a murder case. It is very positive-----
Comment on this
I think it is a Japanese-owned company now but my understanding is that the technology is Israeli. In respect of any State agency, the Garda or the Defence Forces, there is a legislative basis by which there has to be a request to the Ministers and there is a judicial overview of how any surveillance-----
Comment on this
On behalf of the State, in terms of national security. That is well known. It is documented before the House.
Comment on this
Yes. It is well known. There is a set procedure. The Deputy knows that, in terms of national security. That is the only area where the State comes in. Obviously, the Garda tries to solve crimes and we have to trust in-----
