John Dolan (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I know the matter has already been raised by my colleague, Senator Ruane, but I am extremely disappointed, to put it mildly, and quite upset about the decision of the Dublin Institute of Technology with regard to Garda clearance for students who are on access programmes. Having said that, I have great regard for the institute. I was a student of it nocturnally many years ago. It has given a kick-start and an opportunity to so many people who otherwise would not have had it. It is important to say that also. I have had many years' experience working with disabled people and people with mental health needs in trying to get them started or back on the road to education and training. That one needs to have a Garda clearance to go on these programmes is to start off with a stigma. It is saying to people that they are different. God knows a lot of them feel that enough already.

There is also another issue which is that some of the students on these programmes are international students. Are we going to need Garda clearance for people who are coming from the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, China, Brazil or wherever? It is madness. All of these students are interviewed before they come on these programmes. Therefore, there are ways to tease out suitability and I am not talking about any particular backgrounds that they may have. There needs to be an immediate halt to this approach and a rethink. No other students in that institution or in any other third level institution are routinely Garda vetted before they commence. It runs counter to the whole ethos of access. It is wonderful to see students with disabilities and with a whole range of backgrounds getting a chance to let their wings fly and move. We must value that.