All-Island approach to sex offenders will fail while Republic’s system not up to scratch - Beggs
Ulster Unionist Children’s issues spokesman Roy Beggs, speaking today as the Assembly debated child protection regulations and the registration of sexual offenders across the Island of Ireland, said in a statement
“Sex offenders do not recognise international borders, they try to exploit them. The management of sex offenders is a North/South, East/West, European and indeed an International issue.
Any approach based solely on an All-Island approach would fail. Narrow political ideology should not come before children’s safety.
In Northern Ireland we have access to a Central database of criminal records, which are kept indefinitely. Those working in regulated positions with children have to be vetted. The Criminal Records office carries out vetting checks. Overseas workers are checked through the Serious Organised Crime Office. Our system is thorough but far from perfect.
I welcome news today of a Sexual Offences Order following on from the Sexual Offences Act of 2003 and I also welcome the proposal of electronic tagging which has the potential of improving monitoring of the offender.
The weakness in the system lies in the Republic of Ireland. Their checks and balances are not up to ours. In NI list 99 and the Protection of Children’s Act list records that will be maintained for those cases where concern has been registered but not successfully prosecuted.
There are no such equivalent lists in the Republic of Ireland. Someone living in the Republic of Ireland who had been drawn to the attention of statutory agencies, but not successfully prosecuted, may not therefore be notified when attempting to gain employment with children in the Republic of Ireland or in the Northern Ireland.
Furthermore the management of risk associated with sexual offenders released back into the community is not at the same level. Vetting is not at the same level.
As I said, The Republic’s weakness is our weakness. Any approach based solely on an All-Island approach and incorporating the Republic’s current practice, would fail.”