Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I fully agree with Deputy Stanton. We are not talking about students going on holidays on a cruise liner. This is something different, which would benefit them for their entire lives. It is about their career and, unfortunately, through no fault of their own, they find themselves in a position where there is no police certificate or vetting procedure and nothing that would allow them to continue their training. I am sure this was never the intention when the various criteria were set out. They are quite broad criteria and one would assume they would cover most reasons for which people travel abroad, be that to work, study or for humanitarian reasons. Unfortunately, these individuals have found themselves stuck in this situation. I give a commitment to Deputy Stanton to speak to the Garda Commissioner as a matter of urgency to try resolve this matter as soon as possible.

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