Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 15 January 2026
456. Deputy Cian O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration if he will outline the laws and regulations currently covering the area of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS); his views on whether an independent oversight role should be formalised in law; and to detail his plans for introducing legislation governing this area. [3039/26]
View answerI can confirm to the Deputy that there are detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes relating to the use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources (CHIS) by An Garda Síochána, and these are set out in a comprehensive Code of Practice.
The Deputy will appreciate that it is policy not to comment on the specifics of the operation of the CHIS system, as this would be contrary to the public interest. The longstanding policy is adopted for sound reasons of the security of the State, the protection of the lives and safety of individuals, and so as not to advantage those who would do harm by undermining the use of this important investigative technique by An Garda Síochána.
The Deputy may be interested to note that An Garda Síochána published a public statement and a policy document in 2022 in relation to the management and use of CHIS and these documents are available at [www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/]. The policy document was subject to a review 12 months from its date of effect and resulted in no amendments to the policy; the policy is to be reviewed every three years thereafter.
The operation of the CHIS system is subject to internal oversight by senior Garda management and to independent external oversight, exercised since 2010 by a former judge as the Independent Oversight Authority for CHIS. It has generally not been the practice to publish their reports given the nature of the material concerned.
I have no plans to make any changes to the system at present.
