The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) has called for the urgent introduction of statutory vetting procedures for people working with children in voluntary and State bodies in Ireland following the Soham tragedy, writes Joe Humphreys
While the society said the facts relating to the double-murder were still unclear, it appeared the UK's "comprehensive and well-developed" vetting procedures "still did not prevent the deaths of these two children".
In a statement, the group said vetting procedures in Ireland were "grossly inadequate" compared to those in the UK, adding this disparity was particularly worrying given the freedom of movement within the EU, and between Ireland and the UK.
ISPCC director Mr Paul Gilligan called for a three-step approach to the issue: first, the extension of vetting procedures to all organisations working with children; second, the enforcement of such procedures on a statutory basis; and third, the creation of new vetting systems which complemented Garda clearance checks.
He said voluntary organisations operated different vetting systems, some of which relied upon informal Garda co-operation, and this in itself highlighted the inadequate nature of the situation.
He said the ISPCC was forced to ask employees to seek their personal files from the Garda under the Data Protection Act and then forward them to the society. Such an arrangement would shortly be illegal under new legislation, he noted.
"It's a back-door system. We have no qualms in saying that. But it's the only system available to us at the moment," he said.
Highlighting the differing procedures among groups, Scouting Ireland said it vetted its leaders by using two officials, one from inside scouting and one from outside. It said it had no formal link with the Garda, although individual gardaí might provide it with verbal clearance for particular applicants.
Mr Gilligan said he believed there were resource as well as legal issues surrounding the problem. "If you have everyone being vetted you will add a huge amount of work on the Department [of Justice] which it can't do without further resources."
A spokesman for the Department said it had introduced the Sex Offenders Act last year, and this ensured a tracking system was in place.
The Act imposes a requirement on certain sex offenders to notify the Garda of their names and addresses, and any changes to that information within seven days.
As regards teachers, a spokesman for the Department of Education said normally it relied on letters of reference as a means of vetting. However, certain categories of school workers, including bus escorts who worked with children with special needs, and supervisors who were employed last year during the teachers' strike, were subjected to Garda clearance checks.
He added the Department had proposed holding discussions on vetting with its partners in the teaching sector, and these may take place as soon as early next year.