Independent TD Dr Jerry Cowley has warned if concerns that his telephone may be under Garda surveillance turn out to be true that it would be "a very grave matter that would go right to the root of our demcracy."
Dr Cowley has formally asked Minister for Justice Michael McDowell to tell the Dáil if his and others associated with the Shell-to-Sea group have had their telephones bugged.
The Mayo TD first raised his concerns in an interview published yesterday in the Connaught Telegraphnewspaper.
Speaking to ireland.com this afternoon, Deputy Cowley said he suspected his telephone has been under Garda surveillance for a number of months along with figures within the Shell-to-Sea group.
Several people had approached him with concerns that their phones were being tapped and a number of coincidences had been brought to his attention which he said "raised suspicion."
Deputy Cowley said he had formally raised the matter with Minister for Justice Michael McDowell in the Dáil today but had been told that "it would be contrary to the public interest to comment on the existence or otherwise of covert Garda operational measures and associated details."
He said that it was his "constitutional right to represent his constiutents."
Deputy Cowley said he hoped Minister McDowell would clarify the matter this afternoon.