Prisoner Privacy

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 17 July 2012

Tuesday, 17 July 2012

Questions (540)

Jonathan O'Brien

Question:

552 Deputy Jonathan O’Brien asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if his attention has been drawn to a recent court case where prisoner correspondence was found to have been leaked to a national newspaper; the steps that have been taken to investigate breaches of prisoner privacy; the steps taken to ensure against future breaches such as this; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34843/12]

Written answers

Minister for Justice and Equality (Deputy Alan Shatter)

The Irish Prison Service conducted an investigation into the alleged leaking of the private correspondence of a prisoner. However, the investigation could not determine the source of the leak or whether it had originated within the prison system. A separate investigation was also carried out by the Data Protection Commissioner.