Heather Humphreys is among those spreading misinformation that Oireachtas political staff need so-called garda clearance – they don’t, according to policy documents obtained by The Ditch.
Humphreys’s former party colleague and ex-justice minister Alan Shatter has also joined in, posting a fake document on X – likely first generated using artificial intelligence– purporting to be official policy on Oireachtas vetting.
This vetting process only however concerns access cards to Leinster House and An Garda Síochána has no decision-making role – a senior Oireachtas official makes the final call.
'Humphreys wrongly claimed – without challenge – on RTÉ'
The Journal's Niall O'Connor reported last week that gardaí “intervened” in 2018 to stop presidential election candidate and TD Catherine Connolly from hiring a woman convicted of a firearms offence.
There is however no requirement for “clearance” from An Garda Síochána. The vetting process for Leinster House access cards doesn’t even begin until staff start working for Oireachtas members.
Fine Gael presidential candidate Heather Humphreys falsely claimed in an interview played on last Thursday’s Drivetime that “garda clearance” is required before starting a role at the Oireachtas.
“How come she (Connolly’s staff member) had access to the Oireachtas without garda clearance. Everybody knows when you apply for a job, you must be vetted by the Garda Síochána and you can’t take up that job until the vetting has been completed,” Humphreys wrongly claimed – without challenge – on RTÉ.
The Ditch has obtained a genuine policy document – distinct from the fake shared by Alan Shatter on X – titled “Vetting for new staff/returning staff” published by the Houses of the Oireachtas Service.
The policy makes it clear that vetting doesn’t start until an employee has been hired by a TD.
“Member/party administrator selects new/returning staff member. In order to receive Oireachtas access card, the staff member must be on the Oireachtas payroll and based in Leinster House,” the document says.
The policy sets out the paperwork required to complete the garda vetting process for an access card and what happens after it has been completed.
“A nil return on disclosure results in access cards being printed and the liaison team will make contact to arrange issue to the new staff member,” it says.
“Should there be a disclosure of convictions, the applicant will be contacted by the liaison
and asked to provide confirmation from them that details are accurate (and) supply any supporting information for consideration.”
The superintendent of the Oireachtas, not to be confused with a garda superintendent, makes the final decision.
“The superintendent (of the Oireachtas) will then assess the application and make a decision on if an access card can be issued,” according to the policy.
The Houses of the Oireachtas Service declined to comment on what it said were “security matters”.
The garda press office said it doesn’t comment on “security and vetting matters relating to individuals or locations”.
