The activities carried out by the Security Intelligence System are subject to the oversight of the Comitato parlamentare per la sicurezza della Repubblica (COPASIR) [Parliamentary Committee for the Security of the Republic] - a body comprising five Senators and five Deputies. The Committee's composition must ensure the equal representaiton of both the majority and the opposition groups.

The Committee is chaired by a member of the opposition.

The Parliamentary Committee constantly and systematically verifies that the Security Intelligence System's activities are carried out in observance of both the Constitution and the law, in the defence and exclusive interests of the Republic and its institutions.

To perform such duties, the law provided for the Committee incisive oversight powers and advisory functions. The President of the Council of Ministers and the DIS must provide the COPASIR with a number of detailed communications.

The Committee periodically hears the President of the Council of Ministers, the Delegated Authority, the Ministers forming the CISR Interministerial Committee, the Director General of the DIS, and the Directors of the AISE and the AISI. In exceptional cases and with a reasoned decision, the COPASIR may also hear persons employed by the Security Intelligence System, after prior communication to the President of the Council of Ministers, who may oppose the holding of the hearing stating the reasons for such a decision.

The Committee may obtain documents and information from the Security Intelligence System and from the public administrative bodies, and transmit them to Judicial authorities or other investigating bodies. The Committee may also request of Judicial authorities or investigating bodies copies of records and documents relating to ongoing investigations, including those covered by secrecy.

The COPASIR may also have access to:

• the Security Intelligence System’s premises, after giving notice in advance to the President of the Council of Ministers who may postpone the access if there is the risk of interference with ongoing investigations
• the DIS’s central archives to audit the expenses documentation for operations completed by the AISE and the AISI

The Committee gives its non-binding opinion in advance on the draft regulations implementing the reform law, on amending regulations and any other draft decree concerning the organization and the status of the personnel of the DIS, the AISE and the AISI.

The Committee is given advance notice of the appointments of the Director General and Deputy Directors General of the DIS, and of the Directors and Deputy Directors of the AISE and the AISI.

As to his duties to communicate to the COPASIR, every six months the President of the Council of Ministers must send a report on the activities conducted by the AISE and the AISI, containing an analysis of the situation and of the dangers threatening security.

Further duties to communicate to the Committee include:

• financial administration and management of the personnel employed by the DIS, the AISE and the AISI
• State-secret status
• the establishment of new archives for the DIS, the AISE and the AISI
• operations completed by the Agencies which involved functional guarantees or authorized interceptions
• the adoption of regulations and directives issued by the President of the Council of Ministers regarding the subject-matters falling within the Committee’s competence

The Committee presents Parliament with an annual report giving account of its activities and makes proposals or observations regarding issues within its competence. During the year, the COPASIR may also send urgent information or reports to Parliament.

If the Committee discovers forms of conduct violating the rules governing security intelligence activities, it must inform the President of the Council of Ministers and report the matter to the President of the Houses of Parliament.