Howlin says tapping of journalists' phones must not be done lightly

Daniel McConnell Political Editor

Public Expenditure Minister Brendan Howlin has said press freedom is “fundamental” to our democracy and said the tapping of journalists phones must not be done lightly.

He was speaking today after Justice Minster Frances Fitzgerald promised to review the legislation under which the Garda Ombudsman accessed the phone records of two journalists.

Speaking on RTE 1's News at One show, Mr Howlin said GSOC is an important organisation in the administration of justice but he also said press freedom is a "fundamental pillar of our democracy".

Mr Howlin suggested that the Government may look at the model adapted in the UK where each application for looking at journalist's phone would be examined by an independent judge.

The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) has been at the centre of fresh controversy after it emerged that Herald journalist Conor Feehan and Irish Daily Mail journalist Ali Bracken's phone records were accessed by it as part of what is understood to be a complaint by a man about news stories concerning the death of model Katy French in December 2007.

On Thursday Justice Minister Fitzgerald said that it would be "inappropriate" for the department or minister to seek to interfere in any way with the GSOC investigation.

However, last night, Ms Fitzgerald announced she would be reviewing the legislation which allows the Garda Ombudsman access the phone records of journalists.

"This raises complex issues of fundamental importance and I have reached the conclusion there is a need for a review of law and practice in this area," she said.

"This review will have regard to any relevant judicial findings and ensure our law represents best international practice," she added.

Sources told the Sunday Independent that more garda time and resources are being devoted to 'trawling' journalists' phone records than to any single murder or rape case.

And now senior sources say the practice is 'mushrooming'.