Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 November 2013
81. Deputy Seán Kyne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if he will report on the progress of the Spent Convictions Bill which has been delayed on account of a relevant legal case from the UK; and when the Bill will be re-introduced into Dáil Éireann. [45976/13]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 passed Committee Stage in Dáil Éireann on 20 March 2013, having previously passed all stages in the Seanad. However, before the Bill was taken at Report Stage, a judgment of the Court of Appeal in England and Wales was published which has necessitated a review of the provisions concerning the disclosure of certain old minor convictions under the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. Given the close relationship between the two pieces of legislation, any changes to the Vetting Act will have to be reflected in the Spent Convictions Bill.
My officials are currently finalising proposals that will involve a number of changes to the provisions in the National Vetting Bureau Act and consequential amendments to the Spent Convictions Bill. Subject to the approval of the Government, I expect to be in a position to have these amendments drafted in the coming weeks and to have the Spent Convictions Bill amended and enacted early next year.
