asked the Minister for Justice if he has satisfied himself that the selection procedures being used for recruitment to the Garda Síochána inquire sufficiently into the activities and background of each applicant, in order to eliminate the possibility of infiltration of the force by subversive elements.
Written Answers. - Garda Recruitment.
43.
Under the regulations governing admission and appointments to the Garda Síochána the Commissioner must not admit a person as a trainee if it appears to him that the person is generally unsuitable for such admission. I am assured by the Garda authorities that an appropriate system of vetting potential trainees is in place to ensure their suitability.
Moreover, the Commissioner is under a similar duty as far as persons who are appointed to be members of the force are concerned. The Garda authorities have informed me that the suitability of trainees will therefore be carefully monitored throughout the period of 62 weeks training which they undergo before their appointment as members of the Force. Gardaí are also, of couse, subject to a two-year probationary period following their appointment to the force.