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Dáil
‹ Order of Business

Garda vetting and credit reviews

Summary

Mattie McGrath highlights severe Garda vetting delays and the ineffectiveness of the Credit Review Office; the Taoiseach points to the relevant justice and Central Bank legislation and promises further information.

I hope the Taoiseach had a successful trip around Kerry. I am disappointed he did not take some of the free water and bananas offered by Deputy Healy-Rae for the sustenance of the people.

I want to ask the Taoiseach about a very serious issue of which he is aware, as is every Deputy in this House - namely, that of Garda vetting. This is out of all control. I refer to this under the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill. Something must be done, especially for voluntary groups. People have to wait four or five months to be vetted and if they move from one scheme to another they have to be re-vetted.

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Seán Barrett An Ceann Comhairle Fine Gael

Submit a parliamentary question, Deputy.

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I have done so, and I have also raised the matter in Topical Issue debates. This is killing voluntary groups and other agencies.

I have a second question, regarding the Credit Review Office, which is totally toothless. I refer to the Central Bank (consolidation) Bill. Can something be done under its provisions? The office exists and one can write to it and engage with it, although many people do not want to do so because they believe any letter will sit on the steps of the bank. People are not getting a fair hearing and the Credit Review Office is toothless. We need an effective mechanism to tackle the banks and ensure they are lending to small businesses, farmers and everybody else.

Comment on this
Enda Kenny The Taoiseach Fine Gael

The Central Bank (consolidation) Bill will not commence until the completion of the Central Bank (Supervision and Enforcement) Bill in the Seanad. The criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is due later this year.

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