Éamon Ó Cuív (Galway West, Fianna Fail)
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507. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality when Garda clearance will issue to a person (details supplied); the average time being taken to issue Garda clearance; the steps being taken to expedite this process; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [61512/21]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy will be aware, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, which includes operational matters such as Garda vetting. As Minister, I have no direct role in the matter.

I am informed by the Garda authorities that it is necessary for enhanced vetting and background checks and security vetting to be conducted for persons seeking to join the Army Cadet Corps in the Irish Defence Forces. I am further advised that these checks are conducted by the Garda National Security Vetting Unit, Security and Intelligence Unit in Garda Headquarters, in addition to standard vetting conducted by the Garda National Vetting Bureau. These enquiries are conducted for a multiplicity of reasons.

The Deputy will appreciate that enhanced background checks and security vetting, as a practice, does not lend itself to a duration of an average timeframe for conclusion or closure, but is determined on the basis of information and or intelligence gathered and assessed by An Garda Síochána.