Oireachtas Queries Gardaí Vetting

A question mark hangs over existing arrangements for vetting those working with children and young people by Irish police officers.

An Oireachtas committee has raised concerns that the Gardaí National Vetting Bureau may not have the resources to carry out its increased functions under new laws with a proposed piece of legislation being discussed that would put the current Gardaí vetting on a statutory footing.

An Oireachtas committee - that first met in September - has raised concerns that the Vetting Bureau may not have enough resources, if, under a new law, such vetting goes on a statutory footing.

The Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality has also highlighted issues around the use of the phrase 'ad hoc' in the new National Vetting Bill.

Committee Chairman, Fine Gael TD David Stanton, said a definition of what constitutes 'ad hoc' contact with children must be included in the Bill.

The committee held hearings in September where organisations including the GAA and Swim Ireland were invited to give their views on the proposed legislation and the Committee has now published its report on the new Bill.

Before the report goes to the Minister for Justice to examine it before publishing the full text of the Bill, it has already proved controversial as the changes in the legislation mean the current arrangements to vet those in contact with vulnerable people and children wouldn't be fit for purpose.

(BMcC)