Vol. 488 No. 6
7 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform further to Parliamentary Question No. 34 of 2 December 1997, the status of the proposals on the review of the powers of internment as contained in the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939 to 1985, which he was to bring before Cabinet. [6694/98]
I have previously indicated in response to questions on this issue that the Government is committed to keeping the legislation covering offences against the State under review and to amending it in the light of changing circumstances as necessary.
I have also indicated that work is under way in the Department on proposals for a wide-ranging review of legislation in this area. My intention is not to limit that review to the question of the power of internment under the Offences Against the State (Amendment) Act, 1940, but to initiate a review of the Offences Against the State Acts, 1939-85, as a whole. I hope to take proposals to that end to the Government in the near future. The issue of retaining the power of internment will be addressed in those proposals.
In view of the fact that the British Government has adopted a new position on internment, has the Minister had any discussions with his British counterpart in relation to the specific issue of internment?
I have ongoing contact with the Home Secretary, Mr. Jack Straw, and with other British Ministers about a range of issues. Obviously these issues would include security matters, but in line with existing practice I do not propose to discuss the content of those discussions. I am aware that the British Government is proceeding with the removal of the power of internment in its jurisdiction and I will take that factor into account in putting my own proposals to Government. The review I am undertaking relates to the Offences Against the State Acts in their totality, but the matter Deputy McManus raises is one which would be taken into account.
