Garda Vetting of Personnel

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 6 February 2013

Wednesday, 6 February 2013

Ceisteanna (177)

Eoghan Murphy

Ceist:

177. Deputy Eoghan Murphy asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he has considered allowing individuals who have been vetted by the Garda for a specific activity-organisation to obtain a copy of their Garda vetting disclosure, for use with other organisations or activities, in view of the fact that such a vetting disclosure would be similar to a driver's licence or passport in that it would be an official document held by an individual and subject to periodic renewal. [6283/13]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Justice and Equality

Garda vetting certificates are issued to specified organisations registered with the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) for that purpose in respect of a particular post or employment. A vetting disclosure is made in response to a written request and with the permission of the person who is the subject of that request. I should emphasise that the certificate is a disclosure to the requesting, registered organisation of the position at the time when it is issued. Each time a new vetting application is received, new and full vetting checks are conducted. This is to ensure that the most recent data available is taken into account. The non-transferability and contemporaneous nature of the certificate protects against the risk of fraud or forgery and is a guarantee of the integrity of the vetting system. The primary purpose of the vetting process is the protection of children and vulnerable adults. This must remain so.