Willie O'Dea (Limerick East, Fianna Fail)

Under certain provisions in the Defence Forces' regulations, certain categories of people are deemed to be unsuitable from a security perspective. I can give the Deputy a copy of the regulations if he wishes. The regulations stipulate that a person who has been convicted of a serious criminal offence by the Special Criminal Court, or by a civil court, are not eligible for enlistment in the Reserve Defence Forces on security grounds. The Deputy asked about young people who had a brush with the law at some time in the past. I have encountered such cases in my own city. Applications made by such people are judged on a case-by-case basis. Security clearance is decided on by the Garda in conjunction with military intelligence. As far as I know — I will have to check — local gardaí are consulted as part of that process, although not directly by the Army. I presume this goes to a certain section of Garda headquarters which consults the local Garda to ascertain the position regarding this individual. The person is then deemed to be either suitable or unsuitable on security grounds. If there is any way to make the system more transparent while at the same time not undermining the policy which underlies such a system, I would be prepared to consider it.

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