Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 May 2026
612. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration whether there is a national Garda informant framework and a code of ethics for high-echelon intelligence sources; and if not, whether the production of such a framework and code of ethics will be prioritised. [32076/26]
View answerThe Deputy will appreciate that the management of covert human intelligence sources (CHIS) is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner and does not fall within my remit as Minister.
I can confirm to the Deputy that there are detailed guidelines governing the procedures and processes relating to the use of 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. This 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.
An Garda Síochána published a public-facing policy document in 2022 in relation to the management and use of CHIS which is available at www.garda.ie/en/about-us/publications/policy-documents/covert-human-intelligence-sources-chis-policy-june-2022.pdf. The policy document was subject to review 12 months from its date of effect which resulted in no amendments to the policy. The policy is to be reviewed every three years thereafter and I am informed by the Garda Commissioner that that review is underway.
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.
As the Deputy will be aware, all members of An Garda Síochána are bound by a statutory Code of Ethics, which is applicable to all areas of policing, including the management and use of CHIS.
