Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

I accept that there can be delays in the vetting process. Full-time public servants get priority. Applicants for positions in the Garda, the Army, the teaching sector and the public service get precedence. Even then there can be delays in the system. Community activists are not given the same level of priority. Many of the delays which are encountered can be attributed to the lack of availability of records and people changing their addresses when they move. Members will be aware of the difficulties which arise. Gardaí are reluctant to sign off on the vetting process until they have completed what they consider to be a comprehensive check. Gardaí tend to hold off if they find that people have moved or changed address. I will raise the issue.

I have seen a number of examples of full-time staff encountering delays in this regard. Such difficulties have been raised in the House in the context of other positions and posts. As gardaí are aware of modern-day problems, they feel they have to do these comprehensive searches and cross-checks. I will raise the issue. While we want to help those who are anxious to get involved in the voluntary sector, we all believe there has to be adequate protection so there are no difficulties, particularly where children are involved. Workers in this sector often deal with very young children, or people who are 15 or 16 years of age. I will raise this issue with the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

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