Sir, – Conor Brady (“Garda and Defence Forces must retain separate roles”, Opinion & Analysis, July 25th) discusses the issue of the relationship between the Defence Forces and Garda Síochána. He writes against the background of the contents of a recently published Green Paper on defence. It argues for increasing military capability for intelligence gathering in areas such as drug smuggling and organised crime. The concept of the military intelligence network extending out into areas generally regarded as within the remit of domestic law enforcement agencies has to be viewed with concern. I accept that these criminal activities impinge on the military sphere because of the involvement of subversive and paramilitary groups; this demands cooperation, not duplication.
Intelligence gathering is a necessary infringement of our individual right to privacy but is an infringement nevertheless. We assume that the information gathered is always used in the democratically determined interests of our society. We cannot blindly assume this. How and by whom it is acquired is a vital concern to us all. Whether we have a Seanad or not may well set the agenda for political discourse. The agencies that watch what we do, report on our contacts and monitor our calls and social media usage will actually have a bigger impact on how we live out our lives. – Yours, etc,
FINBARR CORKERY,
Hillview House,
Rathpeacon,
Cork.