Vol. 499 No. 5
13 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to establish a register of sexual offenders; if so, the proposed timeframe for publication of enabling legislation and its introduction in Dáil Éireann; his views on whether the introduction of a similar register in Britain has resulted in these offenders moving to Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3066/99]
22 Dr. Upton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the long promised register of sex offenders will be available; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3045/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 13 and 22 together.
An Action Programme for the Millennium contains a commitment to introduce a register of sex offenders. Last week an outline of my proposals was circulated to all Government Departments. I intend to bring those proposals before Government in the near future. I then hope to be in a position to make an announcement giving effect to that commitment. While I cannot give a precise timeframe as to when enabling legislation might be published this is an area of the criminal law to which I am giving a high priority.
I have been informed by the Garda authorities that informal protocols exist between the Garda Síochána and police forces in other jurisdictions where they are aware of the movements of convicted child abusers. This information is confidential and it would be inappropriate to share it with third parties.
