Jonathan O'Brien (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This brings us back to our previous amendment which sought an independent adjudicator in dealing with such issues. Whether we like it, sometimes citing national security can be used as a mechanism to delay investigations. I know this from personal experience. Before being elected to the Dáil, I used to work as a roofer. I was offered a job at the Haulbowline naval base and applied for security clearance, but I was refused. When I inquired about the matter, I was told I could not be given a reason for the refusal on the basis of national security. Even when my union took up the matter, it was given the same response. To this day, I still do not know why I was refused security clearance to work at the naval base. An independent adjudicator could examine such issues. As I accept that the Minister of State is not going to change his position on this issue, I will be pressing the amendments.