Sir, – Margaret Butler is absolutely correct (August 24th). She does not have to be Garda-vetted to serve drinks to her fellow parishioners in her parish hall.
The Vetting (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 makes it quite clear in Paragraph 3. 1, “The Act does not apply to: c) the giving of assistance on an occasional basis for no commercial consideration, at a community event, other than where such assistance includes coaching, mentoring, counselling, teaching or training of children or vulnerable persons.”
Furthermore, the supplementary provisions in 2016, make it also clear the services provided to children are not relevant activities where those same activities are incidental to those being provided to adults.
We presume parents remain with their children having a social community gathering after Sunday Mass.
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The bishops may wish to find their parishes squeaky clean, but they claimed it is a legal requirement for all volunteers. Then by going so far beyond the legal requirements, they give offence to many vulnerable elderly parishioners, insinuating these good people are guilty of evil, and unfit to serve the community until proven innocent.
The vetting process requires submission of a large amount of personal details by email. Given the vulnerability of emails and databases to hacking, this unnecessarily exposes many good people to risk of identity theft with potentially disastrous consequences.
It may be necessary for our teachers, priests and some others as defined in the statute, but surely Mrs Butler is safe clearing up after Sunday morning tea.
I too find it offensive being asked for two references, or to wear a halo when I read the Word of the Lord four times a year on behalf of a mixed congregation, as I have done for 30 years. – Yours, etc,
D LEONARD,
Booterstown,
Co Dublin.