Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 101: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the progress made in drafting the proposed National Vetting Bureau Bill; if the consultation phase of preparation for the legislation has been completed; if discussions have been held with authorities in Northern Ireland and other EU jurisdictions regarding the Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10434/10]

Barry Andrews (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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The Office of the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, in conjunction with the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, is drafting the Heads for the National Vetting Bureau Bill. It is expected that the Heads of Bill will be submitted to Government in the coming weeks. Formal consultations have taken place with the Health Service Executive, An Garda Síochána and colleagues in other Government Departments. My Department has also received a number of public representations on the issue of "soft" information.

This area has also been considered by the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment for Children and the findings of the Committee are being considered in the preparation of the legislation. In relation to international consultation, there is ongoing contact with colleagues in the Civil Service and Police Service in Northern Ireland in relation to the legislation. In addition, the Garda Síochána have regular international contact in the area of vetting and they are bringing this experience to bear on the development of the Heads of Bill.