Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
748. Deputy Seán Haughey asked the Minister for Justice if she will introduce legislation to reform the laws governing the issuing of police certificates to allow them to be used for all employment purposes abroad; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37837/22]
View answerFor the Deputy's information, Police Certificates are issued on a non-statutory basis. The issuance of Police Certificates is an operational matter for the Garda Commissioner. Under section 26 of the Garda Síochána Act 2005, as amended, the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the management and administration of Garda business. As Minister for Justice, I have no role in relation to these operational matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that Police Certificates are issued by Garda Superintendents responsible for the District where the applicant resides or has previously resided.Police Certificates are issued for the following purposes;
1. Foreign Consular Authorities / Foreign Visas (e.g. applications, naturalisation and/or other immigration matters).
2. Establishing or registering a business in another EU Member State.
3. Employment in the EU Institutions.
4. Development/Humanitarian/Aid Workers deployed overseas on behalf of a Registered Non-Governmental Organisation with supporting documentation issued by the Department of Foreign Affairs and/or any other Statutory Agency related to the activity concerned.
5. Irish Citizens participating and/or engaging in an accredited academic programme on a full-time basis for a minimum period of one academic year with a recognised Third-Level Educational Institution (in the Host State) outside of this jurisdiction.
The certificate is valid for 12 months, states the person's name, address, date of birth and also includes information about whether or not they have a criminal record in respect of this jurisdiction.
I can confirm that there are no plans to place Police Certificates on a statutory footing.
