Written answers

Tuesday, 3 December 2019

Department of Justice and Equality

Garda Vetting

Photo of Shane CassellsShane Cassells (Meath West, Fianna Fail)
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272. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if a speeding offence committed in the UK should be listed as a criminal record on Garda vetting disclosure documents; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [49873/19]

Photo of Charles FlanaganCharles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael)
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The processing of vetting applications by the National Vetting Bureau is an operational matter for the Garda authorities and is carried out in accordance with the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012-2016 and other relevant law. My Department, and I, as Minister, have no role in the processing of individual vetting applications.

As the Deputy will appreciate, the primary purpose of the employment vetting carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau is to seek to ensure the safety of children and vulnerable adults. This is a very important task which must be done thoroughly and correctly.

I understand that applicants can track the process of their application online using the e-vetting tracking system, details of which are contained in the email received by applicants when completing their application online.

I am informed by the Garda Authorities that the Garda National Vetting Bureau (GNVB) is the central authority in Ireland for the exchange of Criminal Record Information via the European Criminal Records Information System (ECRIS).

I am further informed that criminal records of Irish nationals which are obtained in EU member states are notified to the GNVB by the Member State where the conviction occurred, in accordance with the EU Council Framework Decision 2009/315/JHA on the exchange of criminal record information between EU member states.

I am further informed that criminal records held on the Garda Criminal Records Database are disclosed to vetting applicants subject to the provisions of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Acts 2012 to 2016.

I further understand that the National Vetting Bureau has a dispute process for vetting applicants who wish to dispute the detail contained in a vetting disclosure.

Finally, I am informed that if a speeding conviction is notified to the Irish Central Authority by the UK in respect of an Irish National, this criminal record will be disclosed as part of a vetting disclosure, unless the GNVB is advised of an update to the status of the court outcome.

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