1013 Mrs. Owen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps taken by his Department in vetting people who wish to work with children in order to prevent unsuitable people from gaining employment in work relating to children; his plans to introduce legislation here similar to the Protection of Children and Vulnerable Adults Bill in Northern Ireland; if there is an exchange of information with Northern Ireland on adults who may have been found unsuitable to work with children in one jurisdiction or the other; and if he will include such an item on the next agenda of the North-South Ministerial Council meeting. [2490/02]

In June 1999, in response to requests for an enhancement of the clearance system for employment related to children or vulnerable persons, I announced that the Garda Commissioner was undertaking a comprehensive review of Garda clearance arrangements in this area. As a result, it was decided that a central vetting unit should be established within the Garda Síochána.