Peter Burke: the security concerns were referred to in briefing documents for the Minister for Enterprise on his appointment several weeks ago. Photograph: Dara Mac Dónaill
IDA Ireland and Enterprise Ireland, the State agencies which have responsibility for supporting domestic and international businesses in Ireland, warned the absence of such a system was putting at risk the development of important economic and industrial sectors.
Sources said that in one case a company, in a bid to get around the absence of a system of security clearances here, transferred abroad key staff earmarked for a particular project. It then sought police in the other jurisdiction to try secure confirmation from gardaí in Ireland that the workers concerned did not have criminal records.