Cianan Brennan: Minister creates a de facto mass surveillance system of entire population

Justice Minister Helen McEntee has made an attempt to address issues in the State’s flawed data retention laws, but they’re open to legal challenges, writes Cianan Brennan

Justice Minister Helen McEntee announced that she had, via a court order, informed Ireland’s telecommunications providers they must preserve the mobile phone records of all citizens for a period of 12 months in the interests of the security of the State.

Tuesday was a hectic day in the land of media. With the furore surrounding Ryan Tubridy’s hidden payments reaching fever pitch ahead of a planned statement from RTÉ on the matter that afternoon, the scene was set for that most desirable of situations in the corridors of power — a good day to drop bad news.

First, Minister for Public Expenditure Paschal Donohoe announced the results of a review of senior public servant pay, which concluded that departmental secretaries general should be entitled to a year’s wages upon concluding their terms. Not a headline likely to garner an especially happy response.