Gardaí say it is not possible to set deadlines for extra background checks on aviation workers that airlines fear could slow recruitment as summer nears.
New EU laws enacted in January demand “enhanced” security background checks on both new recruits and around 40,000 existing air travel workers, on top of the standard vetting that has applied for many years.
An Garda Síochána says it is committed to ensuring that the two divisions responsible for carrying out both the new extra checks and the standard vetting have enough resources to process all applications from the industry.
However, the force notes in a statement that it is not possible to give “indicative turn-around times” for the extra checks required since January as each case is different.
The length of time needed depends on factors including “whether the applicant has resided outside the State or not, and in how many countries or addresses an applicant may have resided at”.
“International addresses necessitate liaison with international agencies, over which An Garda Síochána has no control,” adds the statement.
The EU introduced the new enhanced checks to counter terrorist threats to civil aviation.
Criminal conviction
The directive, EU 2019/103, was due to come into force last year, but the pandemic prompted Europe to delay its introduction.
The force says that it completes most standard vetting, which checks if someone has a criminal conviction or charges pending against them, in seven to eight working days.
Carriers including Aer Lingus and Emerald Airlines called recently for the Garda to ensure there were enough resources to process applications quickly.
They say some checks are taking weeks to complete and fear this could hit recruitment as they prepare for a recovery in air travel this summer.
The new law requires aviation workers to go through two stages. The first is the standard check, carried out by the Garda National Vetting Bureau.
By February 15th, that division had completed 1,795 of 2,284 applications received since January 1st.
A unit of the Garda National Crime & Security Intelligence Service carries out the second stage, or enhanced check.
Among other things this reviews employment and education history, along with any gaps in both, which can require Gardaí to contact police overseas.
Dedicated IT system
The Department of Transport has designated State airports company, DAA, as the central processing authority, so it refers applications to An Garda Síochána.
The force has developed a dedicated IT system through which the DAA submits applications to both the vetting unit and intelligence service for the two stages of the process.
Existing and current staff must go through the checks to get passes allowing them to work in airport security zones.
Airlines are less concerned about existing workers going through enhanced checks as they can apply early, anticipating potential delays.
However, they worry that delays could hit applications from new job candidates.
Industry sources estimate that Irish aviation could hire between 2,000 and 3,000 extra staff this year as the business recovers from almost two years of Government Covid curbs.
An Garda Síochána says it continues to engage with the DAA, aviation industry, National Civil Aviation Security Committee and the Department of Transport.
