Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

The Deputy is right to urge that the process be sped up. Irrespective of any changes that are introduced to the process, it must operate faster. It is unfair that people who are seeking jobs or seeking to be vetted for sporting or recreational purposes must wait for lengthy periods.

The Deputy is also correct to identify that this is progressing quite slowly. The report was commissioned in 2021. We need to make a decision and change the process. We do not want to be talking about the issue another year from now. We must ensure that a faster system is put in place while at the same time ensuring that the fundamental requirement of protecting children is maintained. Those two objectives are compatible. We can have a faster system while ensuring that children's welfare is not threatened. That is something I am working on and would like to see achieved as soon as possible.

See this speech in context