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| Irish government sets up police bugging inquiry | Irish government sets up police bugging inquiry |
| (35 minutes later) | |
| The Irish government has set up an inquiry into allegations of widespread bugging by its police force dating back for many years. | The Irish government has set up an inquiry into allegations of widespread bugging by its police force dating back for many years. |
| It said that the implications were new, serious and of such gravity that a commission had to be set up. | |
| "A system was in place in a large number of Garda (police) stations whereby incoming and outgoing telephone calls were taped," it said. | |
| The government said it was informed of this new information on Tuesday. | The government said it was informed of this new information on Tuesday. |
| Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the Irish police, Martin Callinan, resigned following a controversy over whistleblowers. | Earlier on Tuesday, the head of the Irish police, Martin Callinan, resigned following a controversy over whistleblowers. |
| In its statement on Tuesday afternoon, the Irish government said the practice of making recordings had been in place for many years and was discontinued in November 2013. | |
| "It is not yet clear why this practice was in operation. The government is extremely concerned about this information," the statement said. | |
| The government has asked for a full, detailed report from its police force, An Garda Síochána, and its Department of Justice. It said the matter was "of significant public concern" and the investigation would be chaired by a senior serving or retired member of the judiciary. | |
| The statement also said that the government had agreed to the retirement of Mr Callinan. Deputy Commissioner Nóirín O'Sullivan has been appointed as interim Garda Commissioner. | |
| The Irish Government stressed its commitment to reform, including legislation to protect whistleblowers and to extend freedom of information. | |
| It also reiterated its commitment to the reform of Garda oversight and accountability. It said this would include establishing an independent Garda authority. | |
| The full detail of reform proposals are to be set out in the coming months. |