Public Statement by the Commissioner of An Garda Síochána on the management and use of Covert Human Intelligence Sources

Abstract

An Garda Síochána is committed to the maintenance of working practices which observe our obligations under the European Convention on Human Rights and achieving our mission of “Keeping People Safe” These working practices seek to achieve a balance between the requirement to work within a defined framework for the safeguarding of civil liberties and the maintenance of a robust approach to the tackling of crime, criminality and terrorism. The terms ‘informant’, ‘informer’ or ‘source’ are ones that were widely understood both within policing circles and the wider public. These terms are no longer in use by An Garda Síochána and have been replaced by the term ‘Covert Human Intelligence Source’. This term or its acronym, CHIS are used throughout this document.