Eugene Regan (Fine Gael)

I appreciate the Minister's response. I appreciate also that it is the responsibility of employers to ensure that whatever vetting is done the individual meets the requirements, but the reality - this is my net point - is that the form is open in terms of what one must put down as to one's history, whether any offences were committed etc. It is important in the case of young people that if the offence was committed prior to 18 years of age, and there has been no other history of that nature, it should be expressly stated on the form that it is not necessary to include that. That would reflect the provisions of section 258.

My raising this matter on the Adjournment in no way takes from the importance of this exercise. The Minister highlighted the number of vetting applications, which is a chore for the Garda Síochána. I do not want to take away from that in any sense but I believe it would aid the Garda Síochána and any employer were section 258 of the Children Act to be expressly referred to in the application form, stating that if the offence was committed when the person was a junior, it does not have to be disclosed on the form. That is the net point I want to make. I appreciate the Minister's comprehensive response.