Written answers

Tuesday, 17 January 2012

Department of Justice, Equality and Defence

Visa Applications

8:00 pm

Photo of Pádraig Mac LochlainnPádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein)
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Question 367: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality the criteria for An Garda Síochóna when filling out police certificates for Irish citizens applying for visas overseas; and if it includes minor driving and public order offences that have not resulted in a significant fine or imprisonment. [2153/12]

Photo of Alan ShatterAlan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
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1I am informed by the Garda Authorities that a Police Certificate is issued for the information of Consular Authorities only and not for any other purpose. It is issued solely to show convictions, if any, recorded against the applicant.

Subject to the provisions of Section 258 Children's Act, 2001, when completing a Police Certificate in respect of a person who has been found guilty of an offence, where offences were committed before the person had attained the age of 18 years, no mention will be made of such fact. Nor will any mention be made of the fact that a person was dealt with under the Juvenile Diversion Programme.

A charge dealt with under Section 1(1) of the Probation of Offenders Act, 1907, is not regarded as a conviction and, in consequence, no mention is made in the Police Certificate Form of any such charge.

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