Jerry Cowley (Mayo, Independent)
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Question 259: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the way a person (details supplied) in County Mayo, who was allegedly arrested for driving under the influence of alcohol, despite the fact that they claim to have never been arrested, never accused of drunken driving and never in a criminal court, can appear on a vetting request; the way fingerprints can match when the person in question is puzzled with the details; if he will examine this case, and request details from the UK; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [34072/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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I am informed by the Garda authorities that, in October 2005, an application for criminal history vetting was received at the Garda Central Vetting Unit (GCVU) from the Health Service Executive (HSE) in respect of the person in question. On this vetting application, previous residential addresses in the United Kingdom (UK) were supplied, and a Garda enquiry was made with the relevant UK authorities in respect of these. The resultant reply indicated that the person in question had previous convictions in a former name in the UK. The HSE was duly advised of this information in January 2006.

The disclosed information was disputed by the person in question. Accordingly, in September 2006, the person provided a set of her fingerprints to the Garda authorities for the purpose of verifying identity. These fingerprints were forwarded to the relevant UK authorities, which indicated a positive match with their records. The HSE was advised of this on 12 October, 2006.

I am further informed that correspondence has now been received by the GCVU from the legal representative of the person in question and that further enquiries are been made with the relevant UK authorities. In the circumstances, I consider that it is appropriate to await the outcome of these further inquiries.