Tom Kitt (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)

The doctor in question was appointed as a medical officer in the Permanent Defence Force on a short service commission of 12 months on 1 May 2007 after undergoing the standard recruitment process for doctors. This included an interview by the Defence Forces, a medical examination by the Defence Forces, security clearance by the Garda Síochána and registration validation with the Irish Medical Council by the Defence Forces.

The doctor satisfactorily provided all documentation requested and was found suitable at interview. All applicants to the Defence Forces must be security cleared by the Garda Síochána prior to appointment. The normal procedure for obtaining security clearance for all applicants to the Permanent Defence Force was applied in the case of the recruitment of the individual concerned. At the time of appointment of that individual, no adverse information was made available to the Department that would render the individual unsuitable for appointment.

Subsequently, in July 2007 and following contact between my Department and the Garda National Immigration Bureau, difficulties with both registration and the application for employment in the Defence Forces came to light. The military authorities conducted an investigation into these matters and, based on this investigation, the Government decided to recommend to the President that the doctor be dismissed from the Defence Forces. The President dismissed the doctor pursuant to section 50 of the Defence Act 1954 on 26 February 2008.

I stress that the doctor in question was fully qualified to hold the position from a medical perspective and there is no question regarding the professional qualification and experience of the doctor. There are no concerns regarding the quality of medical care provided by the doctor. I am assured that arising from this case, changes have been made to recruitment and checking processes to ensure that a similar situation will not arise in future.

See this speech in context