Local TD calls for urgent reform of garda vetting

THE GARDA vetting process urgently needs reform as the current process is not only frustrating for volunteers and community organisations, but it “doesn’t make sense”, according to a local TD.

Deputy Peter ‘Chap’ Cleere has said the current garda vetting process is in urgent need of reform, adding that the process is taking several weeks at present because garda vetting is particularly busy.

“I acknowledge and absolutely recognise the importance of garda vetting in order to safeguard young people and vulnerable adults and I understand that its main objective is to indicate whether someone has a criminal record or is a threat to a vulnerable person.

“If someone wants to get involved in coaching with their local GAA club, then garda vetting is required. If the same person wants to get involved in the local soccer club, he or she again must get garda vetting. If that person works with a group of children in, for example, a Community Games club, that person needs garda vetting again. The same individual could end up having to go through several processes of garda vetting in the one year, which doesn’t make sense,” added the Fianna Fáil TD.

“There is a serious lack of joined-up thinking in relation to the process surrounding garda vetting. In 2025, with the technology that is currently available, there has to be a simpler and slicker way of managing garda vetting nationally,” he said.

“The process needs to be simplified to make it as easy as possible for volunteers and organisations. Surely, once a person has been vetted once and qualified, this should be acceptable for all organisations and groups.

“Similar to a passport, once a person has been approved, they could be garda vetted for a certain period of time and would have to renew accordingly, perhaps every year, but the one vetting covers all organisations. It certainly needs to be examined.”