Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - Internment Legislation.

Liz McManus

Question:

33 Ms McManus asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to undertake a review of the powers of internment contained in the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939 to 1985 particularly in view of the fact that the power to intern has not been used within this jurisdiction for more than 35 years and in view of the decision of the authorities in the United Kingdom to remove the power of internment from the statute book there; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21084/97]

John Gormley

Question:

34 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to initiate the repeal of the portions of the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939 to 1985 which allow for the introduction of detention without trial in this jurisdiction in view of the intention of the British Government to remove the power to detain persons without trial from the statute book in relation to Northern Ireland. [20964/97]

John Gormley

Question:

445 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform whether he will take steps to initiate the repeal of the sections of the Offences Against the State Acts,1939 to 1984 which allows for the introduction of detention without trial in this jurisdiction in view of the intention of the British Government to remove the power to detain persons without trial from the statute book in relation to Northern Ireland. [21579/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 34 and 445 together. The Government has already welcomed the intention of the British Government to repeal section 36 of the Northern Ireland (Emergency Provisions) Act, 1996, which will remove the provision for detention (internment) in Northern Ireland.

The Government is equally committed to keeping legislation covering offences against the State under constant review and to amending it in the light of changing circumstances as necessary.

The restoration of the Provisional IRA ceasefire of August 1994 in July this year, the continuing cessations by loyalist groups which were previously part of the Combined Loyalist Military Command, and developments more generally in the current peace process, create an opportunity to review the provisions of certain legislation in this jurisdiction. Accordingly, it is my intention to bring proposals to Government shortly with a view to initiating a wide-ranging review of legislation in the area of offences against the State, including, in particular, the issue of internment.