In what an Independent TD has described as an “unfolding scandal”, with “information dragged out of the Minister by inches”, it has been confirmed that the Defence Forces “have no remit” in checking a recruit’s immigration history and whether they were in possession of a passport when they arrived in Ireland.
Carol Nolan TD told Gript that “only persistent questioning” was allowing her “to get to the heart of the matter”, which was whether the Defence Forces were vetting foreign-born recruits thoroughly given that the number of such recruits had soared in recent time and that tens of thousands of persons had arrived in Ireland without passports or as imposters in the last decade.
She said that previous questioning, “which, again required persistent repetition at the time, had shown that the much trumpeted Garda vetting of those arriving without passport actually involved a check against Eurodac which is not a criminal database and exposed difficulties in carrying out checks in certain jurisdictions.”
She emphasised again that the matter is not about questioning the integrity of individual recruits, and said that she had every confidence in the Irish Army.
“This is not about individuals. It is about standards. If particular categories of information are not being collected, then it is entirely reasonable for elected representatives and the wider public to ask why, and whether there are alternative mechanisms in place to ensure a complete picture is available where necessary.”
Deputy Nolan described the “latest admission” as “startling ” – and said that the public needed to know if the ‘no remit’ rule only applies at initial recruitment level.
“Does it apply irrespective of how senior a position is being applied for. In such circumstances, are the Defence Forces still curtailed in its independent investigative capacity. Does it still have to outsource its investigations no matter how senior the role?” she asked.
PREVIOUS QUESTIONS
This week, Gript reported that previous questioning by Deputy Nolan had shown the Defence Forces are “unaware ” how many, if any, of their foreign-born recent recruits came to Ireland without a passport or documentation as they do not gather that information.
Responding to a question by the Offaly Independent TD, the Minister for Defence Helen McEntee said that she was advised by the Defence Forces “that as they are unaware of the documentary status of individuals upon their arrival in Ireland, the information requested by the Deputy is not available”.
Deputy Nolan then asked the Minister for Defence, given the confirmation that the Defence Forces “do not collect information relating to an applicant’s immigration history, arrival circumstances, previous immigration permissions, international protection history or previous identity documentation”, whether “the Defence Forces can determine if an applicant has previously used multiple identities, provided different biographical details to State agencies or been the subject of immigration investigations”.
She added that, if the Defence Forces can make such a determination, whether they could explain “the way in which such information is obtained” – and if they cannot whether the Minister “considers this a gap in the recruitment and vetting process”.
In reply, the Minister for Defence said “the Defence Forces have no remit in the collection of such information as referred to in the Deputy’s question but it should be noted that all applicants to the Defence Forces must meet all eligibility criteria for service as laid down in Defence Forces regulations.”
“These criteria are of general applicability to all candidates and may include age, residency, character, educational and medical/fitness requirements, depending on the recruitment competition in question.”
She said she was “fully committed to strengthening recruitment to and supporting the retention of personnel in the Defence Forces.”
“The Defence Forces requires all applicants to provide proof of identity and evidence of eligibility for the relevant competition that they have applied for,” she added.
“I wish to reiterate to the Deputy that, as part of the recruitment process, all candidates seeking careers in the Defence Forces are subject to vetting in advance of their induction. The vetting process is a matter for An Garda Síochána and the Defence Forces is therefore not in a position to address questions pertaining to its operation. Information or material provided by An Garda Siochana on foot of the vetting process may assist the Defence Forces in making a determination as to the suitability or otherwise of an applicant for service in the Defence Forces.”
“Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity are important values to the Defence Forces and applications are welcome from individuals who meet the eligibility criteria, as set out in Defence Force Regulations,” she said.
However, Deputy Nolan said that the issue came back to her original question asked the Minister to provide the number of Defence Forces recruits since 2020 “who initially arrived in Ireland without documentation” and to show “among that cohort, the way in which their identity and records were checked and verified.”
She reiterated that the Minister’s reply “immediately raises questions about the extent to which an applicant’s background can be independently verified and what records are available to decision-makers when assessing suitability for service” – and called on the Government to provide greater clarity on the information collected during the Defence Forces recruitment process because, she said, the parliamentary replies indicated that certain immigration and administrative history details are not gathered as part of the application process.
Deputy Nolan said the issue is fundamentally one of public confidence.
“The Defence Forces occupy a unique position within the State. Those who serve carry significant responsibilities and the public is entitled to have confidence that recruitment and vetting procedures are as robust and comprehensive as possible,” she said.
“The answers I have received indicate that certain information relating to an applicant’s immigration and administrative history is not collected during the recruitment process. That immediately raises questions about the extent to which an applicant’s background can be independently verified and what records are available to decision-makers when assessing suitability for service,” she added.
Deputy Nolan said that the matter is not about questioning the integrity of individual recruits.
“This is not about individuals. It is about standards. If particular categories of information are not being collected, then it is entirely reasonable for elected representatives and the wider public to ask why, and whether there are alternative mechanisms in place to ensure a complete picture is available where necessary.”
Deputy Nolan said there is a broader public interest in understanding how different State agencies interact when conducting security and suitability checks.
“We have heard a lot lately about border management and identity verification. Against that backdrop, it is important that there is the utmost clarity around what information is collected during recruitment, what information is not collected, and what checks are ultimately relied upon in making decisions.”
The Government cannot simply expect the public to accept assurances without explaining the basis for those assurances. People are entitled to know that recruitment and vetting procedures for the Defence Forces meet the highest possible standards and that any gaps in information gathering are fully understood and justified,” the Offaly TD said.
HUGE NUMBERS ARRIVING
However Deputy Nolan told Gript that it was not clear whether those who arrived without any documentation and then later received an Irish passport or other identification were admitted to the Defence Forces – and said that it was important to have data to see if this occurred in significant numbers.
She said she would seek further clarification from the Minister and the Defence Forces because “that clarity is important to the Irish people.”
Last month, the Irish Times reported that “the Defence Forces are increasingly recruiting foreign-born troops as the military aims towards a strength of 11,500 by 2028”.
Between 13 and 18 per cent of new recruits since 2022 were born outside the State, according to data obtained by The Irish Times.
Prospective soldiers do not have to be Irish citizens, but candidates seeking to join the Defence Forces must have the right to live and work in Ireland on a long-term basis. In practice, this means the organisation is open to EU citizens, people with refugee status, and those who have held Stamp 4 Visas for the previous five years.
And they added: According to the data, provided following a Freedom of Information request, country of birth is not recorded for a significant minority of new personnel.
At least 26,000 people have been given permission to enter the country since 2018, despite not having documentation. Most went on to apply for asylum.
A Gript analysis and Parliamentary questions by TDs confirmed that such entrants were not subject to criminal vetting as the database against which checks were carried out, Eurodac, does not contain such information.