Background checks, credit ratings,criminal etc

wolfric

I heard that it was illegal for normal people to make these kind of checks but it was legal for someone else to do it for you. Where/how can you do these?
I do admit i'm a little hazy on what kind of "checks" i want so could anyone specify a list of what's possible in Ireland? While i've got a lot of information on google it seems to be aimed towards the USA and I don't want to confuse any of their laws with Ireland.

I know that theres some sites out there that let you pay €~10 and send you your credit report or possibly others. Where would these companies get their licences (if they are needed)

I take it private investigators are an American thing right? If not, does the license allow you to run any of these checks yourself where you might not be able to normally? How would you run them?

Cheers

Our man in Havana

Only the Gardaí can run background checks.

There are PIs in this country but they have no more power than a private citizen.

wolfric

What about other checks? How would employers check out that kind of thing on new candidates?

Our man in Havana

How would employers check out that kind of thing on new candidates?

Apart from checking the references provided, they can do nothing else legally.

They cannot get the Gardaí to run background checks. The Gardaí do background checks on people that would be working with children e.g. teachers, social workers etc. but this is only done with the subjects permission as part of the application processes.

wolfric

and credit checks? You can't tell me that checking references is the ONLY thing anyone can check for other then the gardaí.

cushtac

I would imagine any information on someone's credit rating is only available to the financial sector when someone is applying for a loan etc.

I don't see how someone's credit rating is an employer's business.

wolfric

I'm trying to throw out random situations that might tease the information out of people. I'm not an employer and i'm not looking for peoples credit history but i am interested in seeing what you CAN do and how you do it.

Our man in Havana

The Data Protection Act 1998 as ammended would be good reading for you.

teddy_303

While on the subject, in regard to data protection act, suppose a person applied to a company / institution etc, for the release of documents relating to them. A photocopy of a drivers license / passport needs to be forwarded with the application. Is there a way the copy of the official ID can be used for further retrieval of sensitive (legal, financial, whatever) documents about the same person, by the company to other places without the 3rd party having permission from the person they relate to? Hypothetically speaking of course..Just always wondered about that...