A new weapon in war on terror - Updating security legislation

IT is entirely appropriate that security measures be updated to neutralise those who would destroy our way of life. The legislation to allow security agencies wider access to email and internet communications, already in place for phone communications, is being prepared.

At a time when the internet is used to manipulate elections, at a moment when the world’s pre-eminent terrorist organisation dedicates huge resources to online propaganda and at a moment when the State is dependent on a secure online infrastructure, anything less would be dangerously neglectful.

There is a caveat though. Entrusting our security agencies — the gardaí, the defence forces or the Garda Ombudsman — at a moment when the gardaí face huge credibility issues, requires a leap of faith not easily made. Be that as it may, this legislation is important.