There are already procedures in place to provide individuals or organisations with details of data held about them by An Garda Síochána.
Garda vetting is currently provided by the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) in the case of those seeking employment in Ireland with registered organisations where the employment involves substantial unsupervised access to children or vulnerable adults. However, criminal history vetting for general employment purposes, here or abroad, is not available on demand.
It is not possible to register organisations from outside this jurisdiction with the GCVU. The Deputy will appreciate that its priority, particularly taking into account resource issues, must be on providing vetting information within this jurisdiction.
I should mention that an individual may apply to the Garda Síochána for a disclosure under Section 4 of the Data Protection Act 1988 (as amended) for a copy of the personal data which is maintained by An Garda Síochána. Such a disclosure is made to the individual to whom the data relates.
I am informed by the Garda authorities that a Police Certificate of Character may be issued by An Garda Síochána in respect of a given individual, for the purposes of foreign consular and immigration requirements and for foreign business establishment. Applications should be made at a person's local Garda Station.