Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It may well be that the bureau is asked to vet someone but needs additional information which may well be distinguishing information. Three people could share the same name and the bureau would need to ask questions to seek clarification. For example, there might be a criminal record on the PULSE system and let us assume a popular name is John Murphy. There may be ten men by the name of John Murphy, one of whom wishes to be vetted. Inquiries might need to be made to ensure information is not given on the wrong individual. We are giving the vetting bureau discretion to raise issues in particular cases, but I can envisage more complex matters arising. For example, there is a degree of co-operation with police forces outside Ireland. I do not want to steal Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn's thunder on his amendment that we will reach shortly, but a foreign police force might request a fingerprint or DNA sample because it wants to ensure it is providing us with information on the right individual. We do not want to create a situation where anyone being vetted must automatically be fingerprinted and provide a DNA sample. Discretion is given to the vetting bureau to ensure accuracy and address circumstances that will not apply to the overwhelming majority of persons who require to be vetted but may apply to some.