{"id":22305,"date":"2023-07-21T21:22:36","date_gmt":"2023-07-21T21:22:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/?p=22305"},"modified":"2024-03-22T21:18:26","modified_gmt":"2024-03-22T21:18:26","slug":"surveillance","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/","title":{"rendered":"Surveillance"},"content":{"rendered":"<div id=\"ez-toc-container\" class=\"ez-toc-v2_0_63 counter-hierarchy ez-toc-counter ez-toc-grey ez-toc-container-direction\">\n<div class=\"ez-toc-title-container\">\n<p class=\"ez-toc-title \" >Table of Contents<\/p>\n<span class=\"ez-toc-title-toggle\"><a href=\"#\" class=\"ez-toc-pull-right ez-toc-btn ez-toc-btn-xs ez-toc-btn-default ez-toc-toggle\" aria-label=\"Toggle Table of Content\"><span class=\"ez-toc-js-icon-con\"><span class=\"\"><span class=\"eztoc-hide\" style=\"display:none;\">Toggle<\/span><span class=\"ez-toc-icon-toggle-span\"><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" class=\"list-377408\" width=\"20px\" height=\"20px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" fill=\"none\"><path d=\"M6 6H4v2h2V6zm14 0H8v2h12V6zM4 11h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2zM4 16h2v2H4v-2zm16 0H8v2h12v-2z\" fill=\"currentColor\"><\/path><\/svg><svg style=\"fill: #999;color:#999\" class=\"arrow-unsorted-368013\" xmlns=\"http:\/\/www.w3.org\/2000\/svg\" width=\"10px\" height=\"10px\" viewBox=\"0 0 24 24\" version=\"1.2\" baseProfile=\"tiny\"><path d=\"M18.2 9.3l-6.2-6.3-6.2 6.3c-.2.2-.3.4-.3.7s.1.5.3.7c.2.2.4.3.7.3h11c.3 0 .5-.1.7-.3.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7zM5.8 14.7l6.2 6.3 6.2-6.3c.2-.2.3-.5.3-.7s-.1-.5-.3-.7c-.2-.2-.4-.3-.7-.3h-11c-.3 0-.5.1-.7.3-.2.2-.3.5-.3.7s.1.5.3.7z\"\/><\/svg><\/span><\/span><\/span><\/a><\/span><\/div>\n<nav><ul class='ez-toc-list ez-toc-list-level-1 ' ><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-3' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-1\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Criminal_Justice_Surveillance_Act_2009\" title=\"Criminal Justice (Surveillance)\u00a0 Act 2009\">Criminal Justice (Surveillance)\u00a0 Act 2009<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-2\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Authorisations\" title=\"Authorisations\">Authorisations<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-3\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Application\" title=\"Application\">Application<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-4\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Officer_Authorisation\" title=\"Officer Authorisation\">Officer Authorisation<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-5\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Tracking_Devices\" title=\"Tracking Devices\">Tracking Devices<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-6\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Complaints_Contravention\" title=\"Complaints &amp; Contravention\">Complaints &amp; Contravention<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-7\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Operation_of_Act\" title=\"Operation of Act\">Operation of Act<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-8\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Admissible_Evidence\" title=\"Admissible Evidence\">Admissible Evidence<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-3'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-9\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/#Regulations\" title=\"Regulations\">Regulations<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-10\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#CRIMINAL_JUSTICE_SURVEILLANCE_ACT_2009\" title=\"CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SURVEILLANCE) ACT 2009\">CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SURVEILLANCE) ACT 2009<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-11\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Interpretation\" title=\"Interpretation.\">Interpretation.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-12\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Application_of_Act\" title=\"Application of Act.\">Application of Act.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-13\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Surveillance\" title=\"Surveillance.\">Surveillance.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-14\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Application_for_authorisation\" title=\"Application for authorisation.\">Application for authorisation.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-15\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Authorisation\" title=\"Authorisation.\">Authorisation.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-16\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Variation_or_renewal_of_authorisation\" title=\"Variation or renewal of authorisation.\">Variation or renewal of authorisation.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-17\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Approval_for_surveillance_in_cases_of_urgency\" title=\"Approval for surveillance in cases of urgency.\">Approval for surveillance in cases of urgency.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-18\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Tracking_devices\" title=\"Tracking devices.\">Tracking devices.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-19\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Retention_of_materials_relating_to_applications_and_reports\" title=\"Retention of materials relating to applications and reports.\">Retention of materials relating to applications and reports.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-20\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Restriction_of_disclosure_of_existence_of_authorisations_and_other_documents\" title=\"Restriction of disclosure of existence of authorisations and other documents.\">Restriction of disclosure of existence of authorisations and other documents.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-21\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Complaints_procedure\" title=\"Complaints procedure.\">Complaints procedure.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-22\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Review_of_operation_of_this_Act_by_designated_judge\" title=\"Review of operation of this Act by designated judge.\">Review of operation of this Act by designated judge.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-23\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Confidentiality_of_information\" title=\"Confidentiality of information.\">Confidentiality of information.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-24\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Admissibility_of_evidence\" title=\"Admissibility of evidence.\">Admissibility of evidence.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-25\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Disclosure_of_information\" title=\"Disclosure of information.\">Disclosure of information.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-26\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Regulations-2\" title=\"Regulations.\">Regulations.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-27\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Amendment_of_Garda_Siochana_Act_2005\" title=\"Amendment of Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005.\">Amendment of Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005.<\/a><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-28\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Amendment_of_Courts_Supplemental_Provisions_Act_1961\" title=\"Amendment of Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961.\">Amendment of Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><li class='ez-toc-page-1 ez-toc-heading-level-2'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-29\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#CRIMINAL_JUSTICE_AMENDMENT_ACT_2009\" title=\"CRIMINAL JUSTICE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2009\">CRIMINAL JUSTICE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2009<\/a><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><ul class='ez-toc-list-level-4' ><li class='ez-toc-heading-level-4'><a class=\"ez-toc-link ez-toc-heading-30\" href=\"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/surveillance\/2\/#Certain_offences_under_Part_7_of_Act_of_2006_to_be_scheduled_offences\" title=\"\nCertain offences under Part 7 of Act of 2006 to be scheduled offences.\">\nCertain offences under Part 7 of Act of 2006 to be scheduled offences.<\/a><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/li><\/ul><\/nav><\/div>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Criminal_Justice_Surveillance_Act_2009\"><\/span>Criminal Justice (Surveillance)\u00a0 Act 2009<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The main purpose of the Act is to buttress the work of the Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners in the prevention and detection of serious crime and in safeguarding the security of the State against subversion and terrorism. In regulating this area by law, the Act ensures that any possible legal obstacles to the admissibility of such material in criminal trials are removed in cases involving arrestable offences.<\/p>\n<p>The Act applies to the Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners. They are to carry out surveillance only in accordance with the provisions of the Act .<\/p>\n<p>A key provision in the Act deals with the admissibility of evidence gained by surveillance.\u00a0There are to be written records in all cases where surveillance is used. In most cases a prior authorisation for surveillance from the District Court is required.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Authorisations\"><\/span>Authorisations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Authorisations may be for a period of up to 3 months and are renewable on application. It is possible in cases of urgency to undertake surveillance without an authorisation from the Court for a period of up to 72 hours, subject to conditions.<\/p>\n<p>The use of tracking devices is also regulated by the Act and is subject to prior written approval by a superior officer.\u00a0Provision is also made in the Act for a judicial mechanism for dealing with complaints, and for separate oversight of the operation of the Act by a judge of the High Court.<\/p>\n<p>Only members\/officers of a sufficiently high level in each of the agencies concerned may apply to the District Court for authorisations, on the basis of strict criteria. In each case, reasonable grounds must exist also for believing that the surveillance sought to be approved is the least intrusive means available, is proportionate from a rights perspective, and is for a period which is limited to its objectives.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Application\"><\/span>Application<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>An authorisation may be applied for to a District Court Judge on oath on an ex parte basis in private. The authorisation is to be in writing and contain the relevant details set out.An authorisation shall be in writing and shall specify\u2014<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>particulars of the surveillance device that is authorised to be used,<\/li>\n<li>the person who, or the place or thing that, is to be the subject of the surveillance,<\/li>\n<li>the name of the superior officer to whom it is issued,<\/li>\n<li>the conditions (if any) subject to which the authorisation is issued, and<\/li>\n<li>the date of expiry of the authorisation.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>It is valid for a period of up to 3 months, which is renewable or variable. It may allow the authorised member\/officer, accompanied<br \/>\nif necessary by any other person to gain entry to property for the purposes of surveillance. This may involve the use of such reasonable force as is necessary in the particular circumstances.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Officer_Authorisation\"><\/span>Officer Authorisation<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Where time is of the essence and the matter is urgent to prevent a person absconding to avoid justice, the possible destruction of evidence, or where the security of the State would likely be compromised. In such a case, a superior officer, as defined, in the relevant agency may give approval for surveillance on grounds connected with the issuing of an authorisation for a limited operational period of up to 72 hours.<\/p>\n<p>If continued surveillance is required, an authorisation will have to be obtained from a judge of the District Court.\u00a0Written records must be kept and reports must be made by the parties involved.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Tracking_Devices\"><\/span>Tracking Devices<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There are internal approvals for the use of tracking devices for a maximum period of 4 months.The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in the interests of privacy and other rights, make Regulations prescribing a period of less than 4 months for the use of tracking devices, or for different periods for different purposes.<\/p>\n<p>Judicial authorisations are not required for their use, but the approval of a superior officer is necessary based on the strict qualifying criteria set out in<br \/>\nthe Act . The Act requires that written records and reports have to be maintained in these cases.<\/p>\n<p>A member or officer may apply to a superior officer for the grant of an approval to use a tracking device if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that that conditions equivalent to those above apply, and surveillance is justified having regard to specified matters but that the use of a tracking device would be sufficient for obtaining the information or evidence in the circumstances concerned, and the information or evidence sought could reasonably be obtained by the use of a tracking device for a specified period that is as short as is practicable to allow the information or evidence to be obtained.<\/p>\n<p>A superior officer to whom an application is made shall approve such use of a tracking device as he or she considers appropriate, having regard to the information in the application, if he or she is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an authorisation and that the conditions specified apply.<\/p>\n<p>An approval may be granted subject to conditions, including as to the duration of the use of the tracking device. An approval permits the member or officer concerned, accompanied by any other person whom he or she considers necessary, to place the tracking device and remove it at the end of its use, without the consent of a person who owns or is in charge of the vehicle or thing on which it is placed.<\/p>\n<p>There are retention periods for all official documents relating to authorisations for surveillance, reports, written records of approval sanctioning surveillance in urgent cases, the use of tracking devices and surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform may, in the interests of privacy and other rights, make Regulations prescribing a period of less than 4 months for the use of tracking devices, or for different periods for different purposes.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Complaints_Contravention\"><\/span>Complaints &amp; Contravention<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is a procedure for dealing with complaints where a person believes that they may be the subject of surveillance. In such cases, the matter will be dealt with by a Complaints Referee who is the judge of the Circuit Court who handles similar issues arising from the operation of the telephone interception legislation<\/p>\n<p>Where there has been a contravention of a provision of the Act , the Referee has the power to recommend payment of compensation up to \u20ac5,000. The matter may also be referred to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman<br \/>\nCommission, the Minister for Defence or the Minister for Finance depending on the particular State agency concerned.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Operation_of_Act\"><\/span>Operation of Act<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>There is provision in relation to the appointment of a judge of the High Court to oversee the operation of the main provisions of the Act and to make regular reports to the Taoiseach in the matter. Such reports will be laid before both Houses of the Oireachtas.<\/p>\n<p>The disclosure of any information about the operation of the Act is prohibited , unless it is made to an authorised person, as defined, and it is connected with specified criteria. This applies both to members\/officers of the agencies concerned, as well as to persons engaged on contract work. It also applies to persons generally.<\/p>\n<p>There must be secure storage of, and authorised access to, information and documents generated as a result of the carrying out of surveillance, to protect privacy and other rights. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform in the case of the Garda Siochana, the Minister for Defence in the case of the Defence Forces and the Minister for Finance in the case of the Revenue Commissioners may make Regulations in this regard insofar as their respective functional areas are concerned.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Admissible_Evidence\"><\/span>Admissible Evidence<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>Evidence obtained by means of surveillance under the Act is admissible.It is admission,notwithstanding any error or omission on the face of authorisation or a written record of approval, or notwithstanding any failure by any member\/officer to comply with a requirement of an authorisation or written record, is admissible in certain clearly defined circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>In effect, this means that a breach of statute-based procedures or a failure to fulfil particular statutory requirements does not, of themselves, mean that the material in question must be excluded.<\/p>\n<p>Disclosure of information about surveillance in proceedings by means of discovery or otherwise shall not be made unless a Court authorises otherwise.<\/p>\n<h3><span class=\"ez-toc-section\" id=\"Regulations\"><\/span>Regulations<span class=\"ez-toc-section-end\"><\/span><\/h3>\n<p>The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Finance may make Regulations insofar as their areas of functional responsibility are concerned. Any such Regulations have to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas.<\/p>\n<p>The Act does not apply to the Garda Siochana Ombudsman Commission.<\/p>\n<p><!--nextpage--><\/p>\n<h2>CRIMINAL JUSTICE (SURVEILLANCE) ACT 2009<\/h2>\n<p>REVISED<\/p>\n<p>Updated to 29 June 2022<\/p>\n<p>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 S\u00cdOCH\u00c1NA ACT 2005 AND THE COURTS (SUPPLEMENTAL PROVISIONS) ACT 1961 AND TO PROVIDE FOR MATTERS CONNECTED THEREWITH.<\/p>\n<p>[12th July, 2009]<\/p>\n<p>BE IT ENACTED BY THE OIREACHTAS AS FOLLOWS:<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E1<br \/>\nRecord held or created by the Garda\u00ed under Act excluded from application of Freedom of Information Act 2014 (14.10.2014) by Freedom of Information Act 2014 (30\/2014), s. 42(b)(ix), commenced on enactment subject to s. 1(3).<\/p>\n<h4>Interpretation.<\/h4>\n<p>1.\u2014 In this Act\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201cAct of 1993\u201d means the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Act 1993;<\/p>\n<p>\u201carrestable offence\u201d has the meaning it has in section 2 (as amended by section 8 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006) of the Criminal Law Act 1997;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cauthorisation\u201d means an authorisation for the carrying out of surveillance issued under section 5 or varied or renewed under section 6;<\/p>\n<p>F1[&#8220;chairperson&#8221;, in relation to the Ombudsman Commission, means the member of the Ombudsman Commission who is appointed or acting as its chairperson under section 65 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission&#8221; means\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) an officer of the Ombudsman Commission, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) a person engaged by the Ombudsman Commission under section 74 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005,<\/p>\n<p>who is designated by the Ombudsman Commission under section 73 of that Act for the purpose of performing functions under any provisions of Part 4 of that Act;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cdocument\u201d includes\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) any book, record or other written or printed material in any form, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) any recording, including any data or information stored, maintained or preserved electronically or otherwise than in legible form;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cjudge\u201d means a judge of the District Court;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cmember of the Defence Forces\u201d means a member of the Defence Forces within the meaning of section 1 of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1990, other than a member of the Reserve Defence Force within the meaning of the Defence Act 1954;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cmember of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na\u201d means a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na within the meaning of section 3 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, other than a person referred to in paragraph (b) of that definition;<\/p>\n<p>F1[&#8220;member of the Ombudsman Commission&#8221; means a member of the Ombudsman Commission appointed under section 65 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cMinister\u201d means the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform;<\/p>\n<p>F1[&#8220;Ombudsman Commission&#8221; means the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission;]<\/p>\n<p>\u201cplace\u201d includes\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) a dwelling or other building,<\/p>\n<p>(b) a vehicle, whether mechanically propelled or not,<\/p>\n<p>(c) a vessel, whether sea-going or not,<\/p>\n<p>(d) an aircraft, whether capable of operation or not, and<\/p>\n<p>(e) a hovercraft;<\/p>\n<p>\u201crelevant Minister\u201d means\u2014<\/p>\n<p>F2[(a) the Minister\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) in relation to approvals granted by a superior officer of, and documents and information in the custody of, the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, and<\/p>\n<p>(ii) in relation to approvals granted by a superior officer of, and documents and information in the custody of, the Ombudsman Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>(b) the Minister for Defence, in relation to approvals granted by a superior officer of, and documents and information in the custody of, the Defence Forces, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) the Minister for Finance, in relation to approvals granted by a superior officer of, and documents and information in the custody of, the Revenue Commissioners;<\/p>\n<p>\u201crevenue offence\u201d means an offence under any of the following provisions that is an arrestable offence:<\/p>\n<p>(a) section 186 of the Customs Consolidation Act 1876;<\/p>\n<p>(b) section 1078 of the Taxes Consolidation Act 1997;<\/p>\n<p>(c) section 102 of the Finance Act 1999;<\/p>\n<p>(d) section 119 of the Finance Act 2001;<\/p>\n<p>(e) section 79 (inserted by section 62 of the Finance Act 2005) of the Finance Act 2003;<\/p>\n<p>(f) section 78 of the Finance Act 2005;<\/p>\n<p>\u201csuperior officer\u201d means\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) in the case of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na not below the rank of superintendent;<\/p>\n<p>F1[(aa) in the case of the Ombudsman Commission, a member of the Ombudsman Commission other than its chairperson;]<\/p>\n<p>(b) in the case of the Defence Forces, a member of the Defence Forces not below the rank of colonel; and<\/p>\n<p>(c) in the case of the Revenue Commissioners, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners not below the rank of principal officer;<\/p>\n<p>\u201csurveillance\u201d means\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) monitoring, observing, listening to or making a recording of a particular person or group of persons or their movements, activities and communications, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) monitoring or making a recording of places or things,<\/p>\n<p>by or with the assistance of surveillance devices;<\/p>\n<p>\u201csurveillance device\u201d means an apparatus designed or adapted for use in surveillance, but does not include\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) an apparatus designed to enhance visual acuity or night vision, to the extent to which it is not used to make a recording of any person who, or any place or thing that, is being monitored or observed,<\/p>\n<p>(b) a CCTV within the meaning of section 38 of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) a camera, to the extent to which it is used to take photographs of any person who, or any thing that, is in a place to which the public have access;<\/p>\n<p>\u201ctracking device\u201d means a surveillance device that is used only for the purpose of providing information regarding the location of a person, vehicle or thing;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cwritten record of approval\u201d means a written record of approval prepared by a superior officer under section 7 (6) or 8 (6).<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F1<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda Soch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(a)(ii), (iii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F2<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda Soch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(a)(i), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F3<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(i)(I), (II), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F4<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(i)(III), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F5<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F6<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(iii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C1<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: in definition of &#8220;superior officer&#8221;, paras. (b), (c) amended, (d) inserted and in definition of &#8220;relevant Minister&#8221;, para. (aa) inserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(i), (ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>\u201csuperior officer\u201d means\u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(b) in the case of the Defence Forces, a member of the Defence Forces not below the rank of F3[colonel;]<\/p>\n<p>(c) in the case of the Revenue Commissioners, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners not below the rank of F3[principal officer; and]<\/p>\n<p>F4[(d) in the case of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, an authorised officer not below the rank of principal officer;]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>F5[(aa) the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in relation to approvals granted by a superior officer of, and documents and information in the custody of, the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>C2<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: definitions inserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(a)(iii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F6[\u201cauthorised officer&#8221; has the meaning it has in the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014;]<\/p>\n<p>F6[&#8220;relevant competition offence&#8221; means an offence under section 6 of the Competition Act 2002 involving an agreement, decision or concerted practice to which subsection (2) of that section applies;]<\/p>\n<h4>Application of Act.<\/h4>\n<p>2.\u2014 (1) This Act applies to surveillance carried out by members of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F7[designated officers of the Ombudsman Commission,] members of the Defence Forces and officers of the Revenue Commissioners.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Nothing in this Act shall render unlawful any activity that would otherwise be lawful.<\/p>\n<p>(3) An authorisation or approval under this Act may not be issued or granted in respect of an activity that would constitute an interception within the meaning of the Act of 1993.<\/p>\n<p>(4) For the avoidance of doubt, it is hereby declared that this Act does not apply to the following:<\/p>\n<p>(a) the use of a closed circuit television system in a Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na station;<\/p>\n<p>(b) the recording by electronic or other similar means under section 27 of the Criminal Justice Act 1984 of the questioning of a person by members of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na F7[or designated officers of the Ombudsman Commission] at Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na stations or elsewhere in connection with the investigation of offences;<\/p>\n<p>(c) the recording by electronic or other similar means of any evidence given, or statement made, by a person for the purposes of any court proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F7<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(b), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F8<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(b), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C3<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (1) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(b), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>2.\u2014 (1) This Act applies to surveillance carried out by members of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F7[designated officers of the Ombudsman Commission,] F8[members of the Defence Forces, officers of the Revenue Commissioners and authorised officers of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission].<\/p>\n<h4>Surveillance.<\/h4>\n<p>3.\u2014 A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F9[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a member of the Defence Forces or an officer of the Revenue Commissioners shall carry out surveillance only in accordance with a valid authorisation or an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F9<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(c), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F10<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(c), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C4<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: section amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(c), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>3.\u2014 A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F9[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F10[a member of the Defence Forces, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners or an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] shall carry out surveillance only in accordance with a valid authorisation or an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8.<\/p>\n<h4>Application for authorisation.<\/h4>\n<p>4.\u2014 (1) A superior officer of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na may apply to a judge for an authorisation where he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) as part of an operation or investigation being conducted by the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na concerning an arrestable offence, the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purposes of obtaining information as to whether the offence has been committed or as to the circumstances relating to the commission of the offence, or obtaining evidence for the purposes of proceedings in relation to the offence,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purpose of preventing the commission of arrestable offences, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purpose of maintaining the security of the State.<\/p>\n<p>F11[(1A) A superior officer of the Ombudsman Commission may apply to a judge for an authorisation where he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that as part of an investigation being conducted by the Ombudsman Commission concerning an arrestable offence, the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purposes of obtaining information as to whether the offence has been committed or as to the circumstances relating to the commission of the offence, or obtaining evidence for the purposes of proceedings in relation to the offence.]<\/p>\n<p>(2) A superior officer of the Defence Forces may apply to a judge for an authorisation where he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purpose of maintaining the security of the State.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A superior officer of the Revenue Commissioners may apply to a judge for an authorisation where he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) as part of an operation or investigation being conducted by the Revenue Commissioners concerning a revenue offence, the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purpose of obtaining information as to whether the offence has been committed or as to the circumstances relating to the commission of the offence, or obtaining evidence for the purpose of proceedings in relation to the offence, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purpose of preventing the commission of revenue offences.<\/p>\n<p>(4) In a case in which surveillance carried out under section 7 is sought under subsection (10) of that section to be continued by application under this section, the information on oath supporting the application shall include a copy of the written record of approval concerned, a summary of the results of the surveillance carried out and the reasons why continued surveillance is required.<\/p>\n<p>(5) A superior officer who makes an application under F12[subsection (1), (1A), (2), (3) or (4)] shall also have reasonable grounds for believing that the surveillance being sought to be authorised is\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the least intrusive means available, having regard to its objectives and other relevant considerations,<\/p>\n<p>(b) proportionate to its objectives, having regard to all the circumstances including its likely impact on the rights of any person, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) of a duration that is reasonably required to achieve its objectives.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F11<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(d)(i), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F12<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(d)(ii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F13<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(d)(i), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F14<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(d)(ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C5<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (3A) inserted and subs. (5) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(d)(i), (ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F13[(3A) A superior officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission may apply to a judge for an authorisation where he or she has reasonable grounds for believing that, as part of an investigation being conducted by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission concerning a relevant competition offence, the surveillance being sought to be authorised is necessary for the purposes of obtaining information as to whether the offence has been committed or as to the circumstances relating to the commission of the offence, or obtaining evidence for the purposes of proceedings in relation to the offence.]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(5) A superior officer who makes an application under F12[subsection (1), (1A), (2), F14[(3), (3A) or (4)]] shall also have reasonable grounds for believing that the surveillance being sought to be authorised is\u2014<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4>Authorisation.<\/h4>\n<p>5.\u2014 (1) An application under section 4 for an authorisation and under section 6 for a variation or renewal of an authorisation\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) shall be made ex parte and shall be heard otherwise than in public, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) may be made to a judge assigned to any district court district.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Subject to subsection (4), the judge shall issue such authorisation as he or she considers reasonable, if satisfied by information on oath of the superior officer concerned that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) F15[the requirements specified in subsection (1), (1A), (2) or (3), as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) to do so is justified, having regard to the matters referred to in section 4 (5) and all other relevant circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>(3) An information on oath of a superior officer specifying the grounds for his or her belief that the surveillance is necessary for the purpose of preventing the commission of arrestable offences referred to in section 4 (1) (b), or the commission of revenue offences referred to in section 4 (3) (b), need not specify a particular arrestable offence or a particular revenue offence, as the case may be, in respect of which the authorisation is being sought.<\/p>\n<p>(4) The judge shall not issue an authorisation if he or she is satisfied that the surveillance being sought to be authorised is likely to relate primarily to communications protected by privilege.<\/p>\n<p>(5) An authorisation may impose such conditions in respect of the surveillance authorised as the judge considers appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>(6) An authorisation shall be in writing and shall specify\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) particulars of the surveillance device that is authorised to be used,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the person who, or the place or thing that, is to be the subject of the surveillance,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the name of the superior officer to whom it is issued,<\/p>\n<p>(d) the conditions (if any) subject to which the authorisation is issued, and<\/p>\n<p>(e) the date of expiry of the authorisation.<\/p>\n<p>(7) An authorisation may authorise the superior officer named in it, or any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F16[any designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] any member of the Defence Forces or any officer of the Revenue Commissioners designated by that superior officer, accompanied by any other person whom he or she considers necessary, to enter, if necessary by the use of reasonable force, any place for the purposes of initiating or carrying out the authorised surveillance, and withdrawing the authorised surveillance device, without the consent of a person who owns or is in charge of the place.<\/p>\n<p>(8) An authorisation shall expire on the day fixed by the judge that he or she considers reasonable in the circumstances and that is not later than 3 months from the day on which it is issued.<\/p>\n<p>(9) Subject to any conditions imposed by the judge under subsection (5), an authorisation shall have effect both within the district court district to which the judge is assigned and in any other part of the State.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F15<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(e)(i), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F16<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(e)(ii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F17<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(e)(i), (ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C6<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subss. (2)(a), (7) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(e)(i), (ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>(a) F15[the requirements specified in subsection (1), F17[(2), (3) or (3A)], as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled, and<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(7) An authorisation may authorise the superior officer named in it, or any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F16[any designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] any member of the Defence F17[Forces, any authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission or any officer of the Revenue Commissioners] designated by that superior officer, accompanied by any other person whom he or she considers necessary, to enter, if necessary by the use of reasonable force, any place for the purposes of initiating or carrying out the authorised surveillance, and withdrawing the authorised surveillance device, without the consent of a person who owns or is in charge of the place.<\/p>\n<h4>Variation or renewal of authorisation.<\/h4>\n<p>6.\u2014 (1) A judge may, on application in that behalf by the superior officer to whom an authorisation was issued, if satisfied by information on oath of that superior officer justifying the variation or renewal of the authorisation\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) vary the authorisation, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) renew the authorisation, on the same or different conditions, for such further period, not exceeding 3 months, as the judge considers appropriate.<\/p>\n<p>(2) An application for a renewal under this section shall be made before the authorisation concerned, or any previous renewal of that authorisation, as the case may be, has expired.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Where an application for a renewal under this section has been made and the authorisation concerned would, but for this subsection, expire during the hearing of the application, it shall be deemed not to expire until the determination of the application.<\/p>\n<h4>Approval for surveillance in cases of urgency.<\/h4>\n<p>7.\u2014 (1) A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F18[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a member of the Defence Forces or an officer of the Revenue Commissioners may carry out surveillance without an authorisation if the surveillance has been approved by a superior officer in accordance with this section.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A member or officer referred to in subsection (1) may apply to a superior officer for the grant of an approval to carry out surveillance if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that F19[the requirements of subsection (1), (1A), (2) or (3), as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled and that the surveillance is justified having regard to the matters referred to in section 4(5), but that, before an authorisation could be issued\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) it is likely that a person would abscond for the purpose of avoiding justice, obstruct the course of justice or commit an arrestable offence or a revenue offence, as the case may be,<\/p>\n<p>(b) information or evidence in relation to the commission of an arrestable offence or a revenue offence, as the case may be, is likely to be destroyed, lost or otherwise become unavailable, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) the security of the State would be likely to be compromised.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A superior officer to whom an application under subsection (2) is made shall approve the carrying out of such surveillance as he or she considers appropriate, having regard to the information in the application, if he or she is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an authorisation would be issued under section 5 but that one or more of the conditions of urgency specified in subsection (2) apply.<\/p>\n<p>(4) An approval may be granted subject to conditions, including as to the duration of the surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>(5) An approval under this section permits the member or officer concerned, accompanied by any other person whom he or she considers necessary, to enter, if necessary by the use of reasonable force, any place for the purposes of initiating or carrying out the approved surveillance, and withdrawing the approved surveillance device, without the consent of a person who owns or is in charge of the place.<\/p>\n<p>(6) A superior officer who approves the carrying out of surveillance under this section shall, as soon as practicable and, in any case, not later than 8 hours after the surveillance has been approved, prepare a written record of approval of that surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>(7) A written record of approval shall be in such form as the relevant Minister may prescribe by regulations and shall include\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) particulars of the surveillance device that is approved to be used,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the person who, or the place or thing that, is to be the subject of the surveillance,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the name of the member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F18[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] member of the Defence Forces or officer of the Revenue Commissioners to whom the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>(d) the conditions (if any) subject to which the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>(e) the time at which the approval is granted, and<\/p>\n<p>(f) the duration of the approved surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>(8) The member or officer shall not carry out surveillance under this section for a period of more than 72 hours from the time at which the approval is granted.<\/p>\n<p>(9) The superior officer who approved the carrying out of surveillance may vary that approval, or any condition attached to it, at any time before the expiry of the period of 72 hours.<\/p>\n<p>(10) (a) If the superior officer who approved the carrying out of surveillance believes on reasonable grounds that surveillance beyond the period of 72 hours is warranted, he or she shall, as soon as possible but in any case before the expiry of that period, make an application under section 4(4) for an authorisation to continue the surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>(b) Where an application under section 4(4) has been made and the period referred to in paragraph (a) would, but for this paragraph, expire during the hearing of the application, it shall be deemed not to expire until the determination of the application.<\/p>\n<p>(11) A superior officer who approves the carrying out of surveillance under this section shall make a report as soon as possible and, in any case, not later than 7 days after the surveillance concerned has been completed, specifying the grounds on which the approval was granted, and including a copy of the written record of approval and a summary of the results of the surveillance.<\/p>\n<p>(12) A report under subsection (11) shall be made to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) in the case of a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na of the rank of Assistant Commissioner,<\/p>\n<p>F18[(aa) in the case of a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission, the chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>(b) in the case of an officer of the Defence Forces, a general officer within the meaning of section 2&gt; (as amended by section 2(b) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1979) of the Defence Act 1954, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) in the case of an officer of the Revenue Commissioners, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners of the rank of Assistant Secretary.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F18<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(f)(i), (iii), (iv), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F19<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(f)(ii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F20<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(f)(i)-(iii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F21<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(f)(iv), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C7<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subss. (1), (2), (7)(c) amended, subs. (12)(ab) inserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(f)(i)-(iii), (iv), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>(1) A member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F18[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F20[a member of the Defence Forces, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners or an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] may carry out surveillance without an authorisation if the surveillance has been approved by a superior officer in accordance with this section.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A member or officer referred to in subsection (1) may apply to a superior officer for the grant of an approval to carry out surveillance if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that F19[the requirements of subsection (1), F20[(2), (3) or (3A)], as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled and that the surveillance is justified having regard to the matters referred to in section 4(5), but that, before an authorisation could be issued\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) it is likely that a person would abscond for the purpose of avoiding justice, obstruct the course of justice or commit an F20[arrestable offence, revenue offence or relevant competition offence, as the case may be],<\/p>\n<p>(b) information or evidence in relation to the commission of an F20[arrestable offence, revenue offence or relevant competition offence, as the case may be], is likely to be destroyed, lost or otherwise become unavailable, or<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(7) &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(c) the name of the member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F18[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F20[member of the Defence Forces, officer of the Revenue Commissioners or authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] to whom the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>12. &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>F21[(ab) in the case of an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, to a member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission within the meaning of section 12 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014,]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E2<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (6.02.2017) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 46 of 2017).<\/p>\n<p>E3<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (17.02.2010) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Defence Forces) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 80 of 2010).<\/p>\n<p>E4<br \/>\nForm of written record of approval for purposes of section prescribed (27.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Revenue Commissioners) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 290 of 2009), reg. 3 and sch.<\/p>\n<p>E5<br \/>\nForm of written record of approval for purposes of section prescribed (20.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 275 of 2009), reg. 3 and sch.<\/p>\n<h4>Tracking devices.<\/h4>\n<p>8.\u2014 (1) Notwithstanding sections 4 to 7, a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F22[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a member of the Defence Forces or an officer of the Revenue Commissioners may, for a period of not more than 4 months or such shorter period as the Minister may prescribe by regulations, monitor the movements of persons, vehicles or things using a tracking device if that use has been approved by a superior officer in accordance with this section.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A member or officer referred to in subsection (1) may apply to a superior officer for the grant of an approval to use a tracking device if he or she believes on reasonable grounds that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) F23[the requirements of subsection (1), (1A), (2) or (3), as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled and that surveillance is justified having regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) of section 4(5), but that the use of a tracking device would be sufficient for obtaining the information or evidence in the circumstances concerned, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) the information or evidence sought could reasonably be obtained by the use of a tracking device for a specified period that is as short as is practicable to allow the information or evidence to be obtained.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A superior officer to whom an application under subsection (2) is made shall approve such use of a tracking device as he or she considers appropriate, having regard to the information in the application, if he or she is satisfied that there are reasonable grounds for believing that an authorisation would be issued under section 5 and that the conditions specified in subsection (2) apply.<\/p>\n<p>(4) An approval may be granted subject to conditions, including as to the duration of the use of the tracking device.<\/p>\n<p>(5) An approval under this section permits the member or officer concerned, accompanied by any other person whom he or she considers necessary, to place the tracking device and remove it at the end of its use, without the consent of a person who owns or is in charge of the vehicle or thing on which it is placed.<\/p>\n<p>(6) A superior officer who approves the use of a tracking device under this section shall, as soon as practicable and, in any case, not later than 8 hours after the use has been approved, prepare a written record of approval of the use of the tracking device.<\/p>\n<p>(7) A written record of approval shall be in such form as the relevant Minister may prescribe by regulations and shall include\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) particulars of the tracking device that is approved to be used,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the person who, or the vehicle or thing that, is to be monitored,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the name of the member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F22[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] member of the Defence Forces or officer of the Revenue Commissioners to whom the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>(d) the conditions (if any) subject to which the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>(e) the time at which the approval is granted, and<\/p>\n<p>(f) the duration of the use approved.<\/p>\n<p>(8) Without prejudice to the maximum period for which an approval granted under this section may have effect, the superior officer who approves the use of a tracking device under this section may vary that approval, or any condition attached to it, at any time before the expiry of that approval.<\/p>\n<p>(9) A superior officer who approves the use of a tracking device under this section shall make a report as soon as possible and, in any case, not later than 7 days after its use has ended, specifying the grounds on which the approval was granted, and including a copy of the written record of approval and a summary of the results of the monitoring.<\/p>\n<p>(10) A report under subsection (9) shall be made to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) in the case of a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na of the rank of Assistant Commissioner,<\/p>\n<p>F22[(aa) in the case of a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission, the chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>(b) in the case of an officer of the Defence Forces, a general officer within the meaning of section 2 (as amended by section 2(b) of the Defence (Amendment) Act 1979) of the Defence Act 1954, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) in the case of an officer of the Revenue Commissioners, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners of the rank of Assistant Secretary.<\/p>\n<p>(11) The Minister may, in the interests of the protection of the privacy and other rights of persons, the security of the State, and the aims of preventing the commission of, and detecting, arrestable offences, make regulations prescribing a period of less than 4 months as the maximum period for which approvals granted under this section may have effect, and such regulations may prescribe different periods in respect of different purposes or circumstances.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F22<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(g)(i), (iii), (iv), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F23<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(g)(ii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F24<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(g)(i)-(iii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F25<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(g)(iv), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C8<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subss. (1), (2)(a), (7)(c) amended and subs. (1)(ab) inserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(g)(i)-(iii), (iv), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>8.\u2014 (1) Notwithstanding sections 4 to 7, a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F22[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F24[a member of the Defence Forces, an officer of the Revenue Commissioners or an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] may, for a period of not more than 4 months or such shorter period as the Minister may prescribe by regulations, monitor the movements of persons, vehicles or things using a tracking device if that use has been approved by a superior officer in accordance with this section.<\/p>\n<p>(2) &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(a) F23[the requirements of subsection (1), F24[(2), (3) or (3A)], as the case may be, of section 4] are fulfilled and that surveillance is justified having regard to the matters referred to in paragraphs (b) and (c) of section 4(5), but that the use of a tracking device would be sufficient for obtaining the information or evidence in the circumstances concerned, and<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(7) &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(c) the name of the member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F22[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F24[member of the Defence Forces, officer of the Revenue Commissioners or authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] to whom the approval is granted,<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(10) &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>F25[(ab) in the case of an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission, a member of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission within the meaning of section 12 of the Competition and Consumer Protection Act 2014,]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E6<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (6.02.2017) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 46 of 2017).<\/p>\n<p>E7<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (7) exercised (17.02.2010) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Defence Forces) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 80 of 2010).<\/p>\n<p>E8<br \/>\nForm of written record of approval for purposes of section prescribed (27.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Revenue Commissioners) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 290 of 2009), reg. 4 and sch.<\/p>\n<p>E9<br \/>\nForm of written record of approval for purposes of section prescribed (20.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (An Garda Soch\u00e1na) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 275 of 2009), reg. 4 and sch.<\/p>\n<h4>Retention of materials relating to applications and reports.<\/h4>\n<p>9.\u2014 (1) An application for an authorisation under section 4 or 6 , and any documents supporting the application, shall be retained until\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the day that is 3 years after the day on which the authorisation concerned ceases to be in force, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) the day on which they are no longer required for any prosecution or appeal to which they are relevant,<\/p>\n<p>whichever is later.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A written record of approval prepared under section 7(6) or 8(6), and a report made under section 7(11) or 8(9), shall be retained until\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the day that is 3 years after the day on which the written record of approval is prepared or the report concerned is made, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) the day on which they are no longer required for any prosecution or appeal to which they are relevant,<\/p>\n<p>whichever is later.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The documents obtained as a result of surveillance carried out or tracking devices used under this Act, other than those referred to in subsections (1) and (2), shall be retained until\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the day that is 3 years after the end of the surveillance or monitoring concerned, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) the day on which they are no longer required for any prosecution or appeal to which they are relevant,<\/p>\n<p>whichever is later.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Subject to subsection (5), the documents referred to in subsections (1) to (3) shall be destroyed as soon as practicable after they are no longer required to be retained under those subsections.<\/p>\n<p>(5) The relevant Minister may authorise in writing the retention of any of the documents referred to in this section where he or she considers it necessary to do so having regard to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the interests of the protection of the privacy and other rights of persons,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the security of the State,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the aims of preventing the commission of, and detecting, arrestable offences, and<\/p>\n<p>(d) the interests of justice.<\/p>\n<h4>Restriction of disclosure of existence of authorisations and other documents.<\/h4>\n<p>10.\u2014 (1) The relevant Minister shall ensure that information and documents to which this Act applies are stored securely and that only persons who he or she authorises for that purpose have access to them.<\/p>\n<p>(2) In the interests of the protection of the privacy and other rights of persons, the security of the State, and the aims of preventing the commission of, and detecting, arrestable offences, the relevant Minister may make regulations prescribing\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the persons or categories of persons who are to have access for the purposes of this section to information with respect to the existence of authorisations, approvals granted under sections 7 and 8 and documents referred to in section 9,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the procedures and arrangements for the secure storage, and the maintenance of the security, of that information and those documents, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) the number of copies that may be made of those documents and the destruction of those copies as soon as possible after they are no longer required under section 9.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Notwithstanding section 13, the Minister may make regulations respecting the disclosure or non-disclosure, to the person who was its subject or other persons whose interests are materially affected by it, of the existence of an authorisation or an approval under section 7 or 8 , provided that any disclosure authorised by such regulations is\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) consistent with the purposes for which the authorisation or approval concerned was issued or granted,<\/p>\n<p>(b) consistent with the security of the State, the protection of persons\u2019 privacy and other rights and the aims of preventing and detecting the commission of arrestable offences, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) unlikely to hinder the investigation in the future of such offences.<\/p>\n<p>(4) Any regulation made under subsection (3) may\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) require consultation by the Minister, in any particular case of disclosure, with such classes of persons as may be prescribed,<\/p>\n<p>(b) prescribe categories of persons (other than the subjects of the authorisations or approvals) whose interests are materially affected by authorisations or approvals, to whom disclosure is to be made, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) permit the imposition of terms and conditions limiting the extent or detail of disclosure as necessary, having regard to the matters referred to in subsection (3).<\/p>\n<h4>Complaints procedure.<\/h4>\n<p>11.\u2014 (1) A person who believes that he or she might be the subject of an authorisation or an approval under section 7 or 8 may apply to the Referee for an investigation into the matter.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A superior officer who makes a report under section 7 (11) or 8 (9), or F26[a person who] receives a report under section 7 (12) or 8 (10), may apply to the Referee for an investigation into a matter if he or she believes that such an investigation would be in the interests of justice.<\/p>\n<p>(3) If an application is made under this section (other than one that the Referee considers to be frivolous or vexatious), the Referee shall investigate\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) whether an authorisation was issued or an approval was granted as alleged in the application, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) if so, whether there has been a relevant contravention.<\/p>\n<p>(4) If, after investigating the matter, the Referee concludes that there has been a relevant contravention, the Referee shall\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) notify the applicant, and any other person whose interests are materially affected by the relevant contravention, in writing of that conclusion, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) make a report of his or her findings to the Taoiseach.<\/p>\n<p>(5) In the circumstances referred to in subsection (4), the Referee may also, if he or she is of opinion that the relevant contravention was material and that to do so would be justified in the circumstances, by order do one or more of the following things:<\/p>\n<p>(a) direct\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the quashing of the authorisation or the reversal of the approval, and<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the destruction of the written record of approval concerned, the report under section 7 (11) or 8 (9) concerned, and any information or documents obtained as a result of the authorisation or approval;<\/p>\n<p>(b) make a recommendation for the payment of such sum, not exceeding \u20ac5,000, specified in the order by way of compensation to the person who was the subject of the authorisation or approval;<\/p>\n<p>(c) report the matter and any recommendation under paragraph (b) to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the F27[the Ombudsman Commission], in the case of a contravention by the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na,<\/p>\n<p>F26[(ia) the Minister, in the case of a contravention by the Ombudsman Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the Minister for Defence, in the case of a contravention by the Defence Forces,<\/p>\n<p>(iii) the Minister for Finance, in the case of a contravention by the Revenue Commissioners;<\/p>\n<p>(d) report the matter and any recommendation under paragraph (b) to the judge designated under section 12.<\/p>\n<p>(6) If the Referee is of opinion that, in all the circumstances, it would not be in the public interest to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) notify, under subsection (4) (a), the applicant or the other person, if any, of a conclusion that there has been a relevant contravention,<\/p>\n<p>(b) direct the quashing, reversal or destruction under subsection (5) (a), or<\/p>\n<p>(c) make a recommendation for the payment of a sum by way of compensation under subsection (5) (b),<\/p>\n<p>he or she shall decline to do so.<\/p>\n<p>(7) If, after investigating the matter, the Referee concludes that there has not been a relevant contravention, the Referee shall give notice in writing to the applicant stating only that there has been no such contravention.<\/p>\n<p>(8) A decision of the Referee under this section is final.<\/p>\n<p>(9) A relevant contravention that is not material does not of itself constitute a cause of action at the suit of a person who was the subject of the authorisation or approval concerned.<\/p>\n<p>(10) A person in charge of a Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na station within the meaning of section 99(10) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, a place under the control of F28[the Ombudsman Commission,] the Defence Forces or the Revenue Commissioners or any other place in which documents relevant to an investigation under this section are kept shall ensure that the Referee has access to those places, and to the authorisations, written records of approval, reports and other relevant documents that the Referee may request.<\/p>\n<p>(11) The Referee\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) may, on his or her own initiative, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) shall, where a case has been referred to him or her by the designated judge under section 12 (8),<\/p>\n<p>investigate whether there has been a relevant contravention and this section (other than subsection (7)) shall apply to such an investigation as if the references to \u201cthe applicant\u201d in subsections (4) and (6) were to \u201cthe person who was the subject of the authorisation or approval\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>(12) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201cReferee\u201d means the holder of the office of Complaints Referee under the Act of 1993;<\/p>\n<p>\u201crelevant contravention\u201d means a contravention of a provision of sections 4 to 8.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F26<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(h)(ii)(II), (iii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F27<br \/>\nSubstituted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(g)(ii)(I), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F28<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(h)(i), (ii)(II), (iii), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F29<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(h)(i), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F30<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(h)(ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C9<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (5)(c)(ib) inserted and subs. (10) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(h)(i), (ii), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F29[(ib) the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment, in the case of a contravention by the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(10) A person in charge of a Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na station within the meaning of section 99 (10) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, a place under the control of F28[the Ombudsman Commission,] the F30[Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] or any other place in which documents relevant to an investigation under this section are kept shall ensure that the Referee has access to those places, and to the authorisations, written records of approval, reports and other relevant documents that the Referee may request.<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<h4>Review of operation of this Act by designated judge.<\/h4>\n<p>12.\u2014 (1) After consulting with the Minister, the President of the High Court shall invite a judge of the High Court to undertake (while serving as such a judge) the duties specified in this section and, if the invitation is accepted, the Government shall designate the judge for the purposes of performing those functions.<\/p>\n<p>(2) The designated judge holds office in accordance with the terms of the designation.<\/p>\n<p>(3) The functions of the designated judge are to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) keep under review the operation of sections 4 to 8 , and<\/p>\n<p>(b) report to the Taoiseach from time to time and at least once every 12 months concerning any matters relating to the operation of those sections that the designated judge considers should be reported.<\/p>\n<p>(4) For the purpose of performing his or her functions the designated judge may investigate any case in which an authorisation is issued under section 5 or renewed or varied under section 6 or an approval is granted under section 7 or 8.<\/p>\n<p>(5) A person in charge of a Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na station within the meaning of section 99(10) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, a place under the control of F31[the Ombudsman Commission,] the Defence Forces or the Revenue Commissioners or any other place in which documents relevant to the performance of the functions of the designated judge are kept shall ensure that the designated judge has access to those places, and to the authorisations, written records of approval, reports and other relevant documents that the designated judge may request.<\/p>\n<p>(6) The Taoiseach shall ensure that a copy of a report under subsection (3)(b) is laid before each House of the Oireachtas not later than 6 months after it is made, together with a statement of whether any matter has been excluded under subsection (7).<\/p>\n<p>(7) If the Taoiseach considers, after consultation with the designated judge, that the publication of any matter in a report, copies of which are to be laid before the Houses under subsection (6), would be prejudicial to the security of the State, the Taoiseach may exclude that matter from those copies.<\/p>\n<p>(8) Where the designated judge investigates a case under subsection (4) and is of the opinion that it is in the interests of justice to do so, he or she may refer that case to the Referee for an investigation under section 11 (11).<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F31<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(i), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F32<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(i), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C10<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (5) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(i), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>(5) A person in charge of a Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na station within the meaning of section 99 (10) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005, a place under the control of F31[the Ombudsman Commission,] the F32[Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] or any other place in which documents relevant to the performance of the functions of the designated judge are kept shall ensure that the designated judge has access to those places, and to the authorisations, written records of approval, reports and other relevant documents that the designated judge may request.<\/p>\n<h4>Confidentiality of information.<\/h4>\n<p>13.\u2014 (1) A person shall not disclose, inside or outside the State, any information in connection with the operation of this Act in relation to surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8, including any information or documents obtained as a result of such surveillance, or reveal the existence of an application for the issue of an authorisation, the variation or renewal of an authorisation under section 6 or the grant of an approval under section 7 or 8, unless the disclosure is to an authorised person and is\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) for the purposes of the prevention, investigation or detection of crime,<\/p>\n<p>(b) for the prosecution of offences,<\/p>\n<p>(c) in the interests of the security of the State, or<\/p>\n<p>(d) required under any other enactment.<\/p>\n<p>(2) A relevant person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac3,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 12 months or both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac50,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 5 years or both.<\/p>\n<p>(3) A person other than a relevant person who contravenes subsection (1) shall be guilty of an offence and shall be liable\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) on summary conviction, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac1,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 6 months or both, or<\/p>\n<p>(b) on conviction on indictment, to a fine not exceeding \u20ac10,000 or imprisonment for a term not exceeding 2 years or both.<\/p>\n<p>(4) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201cauthorised person\u201d means\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) a person referred to in section 62(4)(a) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the Minister for Defence,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the Minister for Finance, and<\/p>\n<p>(d) a person the disclosure to whom is\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) authorised by the Commissioner of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F33[the chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission,] the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces or a Revenue Commissioner, or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) otherwise authorised by law;<\/p>\n<p>\u201crelevant person\u201d means a person who is or was\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F33[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a member of the Defence Forces or an officer of the Revenue Commissioners,<\/p>\n<p>(b) a reserve member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na within the meaning of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005,<\/p>\n<p>F33[(ba) an officer of the Ombudsman Commission other than a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>(c) a member of the Reserve Defence Force within the meaning of the Defence Act 1954,<\/p>\n<p>(d) a member of the civilian staff of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na or of the Defence Forces, or<\/p>\n<p>(e) engaged under a contract or other arrangement to work with or for the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F33[the Ombudsman Commission,] the Defence Forces or the Revenue Commissioners.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F33<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(j), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F34<br \/>\nInserted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(j)(i)(I), (ii)(I), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>F35<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(j)(i)(II), 35(j)(ii)(II), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C11<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (4), in definition of &#8220;authorised person&#8221;, para. (ba) inserted and para. (d)(i) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(j)(i)(I), (II), and in definition of &#8220;relevant person&#8221;, para. (bb) inserted and para. (e) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(j)(ii)(I), 35(j)(ii)(II), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;authorised person&#8221; means \u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>F34[(ba) the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment,]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(d)<\/p>\n<p>(i) authorised by the Commissioner of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F33[the chairperson of the Ombudsman Commission,] F35[the Chief of Staff of the Defence Forces, a Revenue Commissioner or the chairperson of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission], or<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>&#8220;relevant person&#8221; means \u2014 &#8230;<\/p>\n<p>F34[(bb) a member of, a member of the staff of, or an authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission,]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(e) engaged under a contract or other arrangement to work with or for the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F33[the Ombudsman Commission,] F35[the Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission].<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E10<br \/>\nA fine of \u20ac3,000 translates into a class B fine, not greater than \u20ac4,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 5(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<p>A fine of \u20ac1,000 translates into a class D fine, not greater than \u20ac1,000, as provided (4.01.2011) by Fines Act 2010 (8\/2010), ss. 3, 7(2) and table ref. no. 1, S.I. No. 662 of 2010.<\/p>\n<h4>Admissibility of evidence.<\/h4>\n<p>14.\u2014 (1) Evidence obtained as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8 may be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Nothing in this Act is to be construed as prejudicing the admissibility of information or material obtained otherwise than as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8 .<\/p>\n<p>(3) (a) Information or documents obtained as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8 may be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings notwithstanding any error or omission on the face of the authorisation or written record of approval concerned, if the court, having regard in particular to the matters specified in paragraph (b), decides that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the error or omission concerned was inadvertent, and<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the information or document ought to be admitted in the interests of justice.<\/p>\n<p>(b) The matters referred to in paragraph (a) are the following:<\/p>\n<p>(i) whether the error or omission concerned was serious or merely technical in nature;<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the nature of any right infringed by the obtaining of the information or document concerned;<\/p>\n<p>(iii) whether there were circumstances of urgency;<\/p>\n<p>(iv) the possible prejudicial effect of the information or document concerned;<\/p>\n<p>(v) the probative value of the information or document concerned.<\/p>\n<p>(4) (a) Information or documents obtained as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8 may be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings notwithstanding any failure by any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F36[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] member of the Defence Forces or officer of the Revenue Commissioners concerned to comply with a requirement of the authorisation or approval concerned, if the court, having regard in particular to the matters specified in paragraph (b), decides that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the member or officer concerned acted in good faith and that the failure was inadvertent, and<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the information or document ought to be admitted in the interests of justice.<\/p>\n<p>(b) The matters referred to in paragraph (a) are the following:<\/p>\n<p>(i) whether the failure concerned was serious or merely technical in nature;<\/p>\n<p>(ii) the nature of any right infringed by the obtaining of the information or document concerned;<\/p>\n<p>(iii) whether there were circumstances of urgency;<\/p>\n<p>(iv) the possible prejudicial effect of the information or document concerned;<\/p>\n<p>(v) the probative value of the information or document concerned.<\/p>\n<p>(5) It shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that a surveillance device or tracking device used by a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F36[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a member of the Defence Forces or an officer of the Revenue Commissioners for the purposes referred to in this Act is a device capable of producing accurate information or material without the necessity of proving that the surveillance device or tracking device was in good working order.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F36<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(k), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F37<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(k)(i), (ii)(I), (II), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C12<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (1) substituted, subss. (4)(a), (5) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(k)(i), (ii)(I), (II), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>14.\u2014F37[(1) Evidence obtained as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) may be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) shall not be admitted as evidence in proceedings other than criminal proceedings, or used for the purpose of investigating any matter other than a criminal matter.]<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(4) (a) Information or documents obtained as a result of surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted in accordance with section 7 or 8 may be admitted as evidence in criminal proceedings notwithstanding any failure by any member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F36[designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] F37[member of the Defence Forces, officer of the Revenue Commissioners or authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] concerned to comply with a requirement of the authorisation or approval concerned, if the court, having regard in particular to the matters specified in paragraph (b), decides that\u2014<\/p>\n<p>&#8230;<\/p>\n<p>(5) It shall be presumed, until the contrary is shown, that a surveillance device or tracking device used by a member of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F36[a designated officer of the Ombudsman Commission,] a F37[member of the Defence Forces, officer of the Revenue Commissioners or authorised officer of the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission] for the purposes referred to in this Act is a device capable of producing accurate information or material without the necessity of proving that the surveillance device or tracking device was in good working order.<\/p>\n<h4>Disclosure of information.<\/h4>\n<p>15.\u2014 (1) Unless authorised by the court, the existence or non-existence of the following shall not be disclosed by way of discovery or otherwise in the course of any proceedings:<\/p>\n<p>(a) an application under section 4 or 6;<\/p>\n<p>(b) an authorisation;<\/p>\n<p>(c) an approval granted under section 7 or 8;<\/p>\n<p>(d) surveillance carried out under an authorisation or under an approval granted under section 7;<\/p>\n<p>(e) the use of a tracking device under section 8; and<\/p>\n<p>(f) documentary or other information or evidence in relation to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(i) the decision to apply for an authorisation or an approval under section 7or 8 , or<\/p>\n<p>(ii) anything referred to in paragraphs (a) to (e).<\/p>\n<p>(2) The court shall not authorise the disclosure if it is satisfied that to do so is likely to create a material risk to\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) the security of the State,<\/p>\n<p>(b) the ability of the State to protect persons from terrorist activity, terrorist-linked activity, organised crime and other serious crime,<\/p>\n<p>(c) the maintenance of the integrity, effectiveness and security of the operations of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F38[the Ombudsman Commission,] the Defence Forces or the Revenue Commissioners, or<\/p>\n<p>(d) the ability of the State to protect witnesses, including their identities.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Notwithstanding subsection (2), the court may authorise the disclosure, subject to such conditions as it considers justified, if in all of the circumstances it is in the interests of justice to do so.<\/p>\n<p>(4) In this section\u2014<\/p>\n<p>\u201corganised crime\u201d has the meaning it has in Part 7 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006;<\/p>\n<p>\u201cterrorist activity\u201d and \u201cterrorist-linked activity\u201d have the meanings they have in section 4 of, and Schedule 2 to, the Criminal Justice (Terrorist Offences) Act 2005.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F38<br \/>\nInserted (27.04.2015) by Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na (Amendment) Act 2015 (3\/2015), s. 13(l), S.I. No. 150 of 2015.<\/p>\n<p>F39<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(l), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C13<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (2)(c) amended by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(l), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>(c) the maintenance of the integrity, effectiveness and security of the operations of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na, F38[the Ombudsman Commission,] F39[Defence Forces, the Revenue Commissioners or the Competition and Consumer Protection Commission], or<\/p>\n<h4>Regulations.<\/h4>\n<p>16.\u2014 (1) The Minister, the Minister for Defence and the Minister for Finance may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed by him or her.<\/p>\n<p>(2) Regulations made under this section may contain such incidental, supplementary and consequential provisions as appear to the Minister of the Government making them to be necessary or expedient for the purposes of the regulations.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Every regulation under this section shall be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as may be after it has been made and, if a resolution annulling the regulation is passed by either such House within the next 21 days on which that House has sat after the regulation is laid before it, the regulation shall be annulled accordingly, but without prejudice to the validity of anything previously done thereunder.<\/p>\n<p>Annotations<\/p>\n<p>Amendments:<\/p>\n<p>F40<br \/>\nSubstituted by Competition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(m), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>Modifications (not altering text):<\/p>\n<p>C14<br \/>\nProspective affecting provision: subs. (1) amended byCompetition (Amendment) Act 2022 (12\/2022), s. 35(m), not commenced as of date of revision.<\/p>\n<p>16.\u2014 (1) The Minister, F40[the Minister for Defence, the Minister for Finance and the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment] may make regulations prescribing any matter or thing which is referred to in this Act as prescribed or to be prescribed by him or her.<\/p>\n<p>Editorial Notes:<\/p>\n<p>E11<br \/>\nPower pursuant to section exercised (6.02.2017) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Ombudsman Commission) Regulations 2017 (S.I. No. 46 of 2017).<\/p>\n<p>E12<br \/>\nPower pursuant to section exercised (17.02.2010) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Defence Forces) Regulations 2010 (S.I. No. 80 of 2010).<\/p>\n<p>E13<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (1) exercised (27.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (Revenue Commissioners) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 290 of 2009).<\/p>\n<p>E14<br \/>\nPower pursuant to subs. (1) exercised (20.07.2009) by Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009 (Written Record of Approval) (An Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na) Regulations 2009 (S.I. No. 275 of 2009).<\/p>\n<h4>Amendment of Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005.<\/h4>\n<p>17.\u2014 The definition of \u201cenactment\u201d in section 98(5) of the Garda S\u00edoch\u00e1na Act 2005 is amended by\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) deleting \u201cand\u201d at the end of paragraph (a),<\/p>\n<p>(b) in paragraph (b), substituting \u201cPostal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983, and\u201d for \u201cPostal and Telecommunications Services Act 1983;\u201d, and<\/p>\n<p>(c) inserting the following after paragraph (b):<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(c) any provision of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009;\u201d.<\/p>\n<h4>Amendment of Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961.<\/h4>\n<p>18.\u2014 Section 32A(1) (inserted by section 180 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006) of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961 is amended\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) in paragraph (c), by substituting \u201csuch assets or proceeds;\u201d for \u201csuch assets or proceeds.\u201d, and<\/p>\n<p>(b) by inserting the following after paragraph (c):<\/p>\n<p>\u201c(d) the power to issue, vary or renew an authorisation under section 5 or 6 of the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009.\u201d.<\/p>\n<p>Short title.<\/p>\n<p>19.\u2014 This Act may be cited as the Criminal Justice (Surveillance) Act 2009.<\/p>\n<h2>CRIMINAL JUSTICE (AMENDMENT) ACT 2009<\/h2>\n<h4>\nCertain offences under Part 7 of Act of 2006 to be scheduled offences.<\/h4>\n<p>8.\u2014 (1) It is hereby declared that the ordinary courts are inadequate to secure the effective administration of justice and the preservation of public peace and order in relation to an offence under each of the following provisions of Part 7 of the Act of 2006, namely, sections 71A, 72, 73 and 76.<\/p>\n<p>(2) An offence specified in subsection (1) shall be deemed to be a scheduled offence for the purposes of Part V of the Act of 1939 as if an order had been made under section 36 of the Act of 1939 in relation to it and subsection (3) of that section and section 37 of the Act of 1939 shall apply to such an offence accordingly.<\/p>\n<p>(3) Nothing in subsection (1) or (2) shall be construed as affecting, or limiting in any particular case, the exercise\u2014<\/p>\n<p>(a) by the Government of any of their powers under any provision of section 35 or 36 of the Act of 1939,<\/p>\n<p>(b) by the Director of Public Prosecutions of his or her power under section 45(2) of the Act of 1939 to direct that a person not be sent forward for trial by the Special Criminal Court on a particular charge, or<\/p>\n<p>(c) by the Government or the Director of Public Prosecutions of any other of their powers under Part V of the Act of 1939 or by any other person of his or her powers under that Part.<\/p>\n<p>(4) This section shall, subject to subsection (5), cease to be in operation on and from the date that is 12 months from the passing of this Act unless a resolution has been passed by each House of the Oireachtas resolving that this section should continue in operation.<\/p>\n<p>(5) This section may be continued in operation from time to time by a resolution passed by each House of the Oireachtas before its expiry for such period as may be specified in the resolutions.<\/p>\n<p>(6) Before a resolution is passed by either House of the Oireachtas under this section, the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform shall prepare a report, and shall cause a copy of it to be laid before that House, of the operation of this section during the period beginning on the passing of this Act, or as may be appropriate, the date of the latest previous report under this subsection in relation to this section and ending not later than 21 days before the date of the moving of the resolution in that House.<\/p>\n<p>&nbsp;<\/p>\n<!--themify_builder_content-->\n<div id=\"themify_builder_content-22305\" data-postid=\"22305\" class=\"themify_builder_content themify_builder_content-22305 themify_builder tf_clear\">\n    <\/div>\n<!--\/themify_builder_content-->\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Criminal Justice (Surveillance)\u00a0 Act 2009 The main purpose of the Act is to buttress the work of the Garda Siochana, the Defence Forces and the Revenue Commissioners in the prevention and detection of serious crime and in safeguarding the security of the State against subversion and terrorism. In regulating this area by law, the Act [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_exactmetrics_skip_tracking":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_active":false,"_exactmetrics_sitenote_note":"","_exactmetrics_sitenote_category":0,"footnotes":""},"categories":[173],"tags":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22305"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=22305"}],"version-history":[{"count":8,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22305\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":33768,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/22305\/revisions\/33768"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=22305"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=22305"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/legalblog.ie\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=22305"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}