Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 20 May 2010
116 Deputy Thomas P. Broughan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation for the vetting of small public service vehicles licence holders based on the private security authority model including the strict vetting of all periods of time a prospective licence holder has spent living in jurisdictions outside of the Republic of Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21132/10]
View answerThe legislation regarding the granting of public vehicle licences and any changes to it are a matter for my colleague the Minister for Transport.
The legislation provides that the Garda Commissioner shall not grant a licence unless he is satisfied that the character and previous conduct of an applicant are such that the applicant is a fit and proper person to hold such a licence.
Applicants originally from outside the State are required to provide relevant police certificates of character and provide details of any convictions received for offences outside the jurisdiction. An Garda Síochána then carry out enquiries through the appropriate channels, with the written consent of the applicant. If written consent is not given, a licence will not be granted unless An Garda Síochána is satisfied that a full enquiry has been made in respect of the applicant with the police in the jurisdictions were the applicant has resided.
