I ask the Leader for a debate on the revelations that the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission, GSOC, has been the victim of apparent surveillance. In the context of the story that first was broken in The Sunday Times last Sunday, it would be a good idea for Members to have a debate once they have a little more clarity as to what exactly has occurred. Certainly, it is a matter of grave concern that the agency that has been entrusted with the independent oversight of the Garda Síochána apparently has been subjected to surveillance. I understand the Minister is likely to give a statement to the Dáil this afternoon and that tomorrow, the three members of the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will appear before the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Public Service Oversight and Petitions here in Leinster House. While there may be greater clarity as to what occurred after those two developments, I seek a debate as soon as possible thereafter to address the critical question as to whether there was bugging of GSOC - if so, who authorised it or was it authorised, whether it was carried out unlawfully, and, if so, by whom?

There are other questions to which no doubt the Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission will be asked to respond tomorrow concerning the reason it considered it wise not to report the matter to the Minister for Justice and Equality, but the critical question-----

That is not the issue.

I agree, but the critical question is whether bugging was carried out and, if so, by whom and for what purpose. That is the sinister question. The Irish Council for Civil Liberties, Transparency International and other groups have expressed grave concern about the reports. We only have reports at this stage; there is very little clarity as to what exactly went on. The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission's own statement is not clear on what exactly went on and suggests this was not the first occasion on which it believed it might have been subject to surveillance. Clearly, we need more information, but I would like us to have a debate in when we have a little more information.

I commend our colleagues in the other House, Deputies John Lyons and Jerry Buttimer, for speaking so frankly and openly last Thursday night on their experiences of discrimination on the grounds of sexuality, in other words, their experience of homophobia. I also commend our colleague, Senator David Norris, for speaking so eloquently about the matter on "The Late Late Show" on Friday night.

In the context of the ongoing debate on homophobia, I also commend the Minister for Social Protection, Deputy Joan Burton, who has turned down an invitation to attend the St. Patrick's Day parade in New York-----

With the Taoiseach.