Written Answers Nos. 1549-1564
1549. Deputy Niamh Smyth asked the Minister for Justice if she will address matters raised in correspondence (details supplied); if she will provide an update on a public inquiry into the case; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40197/22]
View answerIn February 2019, retired District Court Judge Gerard Haughton was appointed by the then Minister for Justice and Equality to carry out a scoping exercise in the light of the public controversy surrounding the circumstances of the death of Shane O'Farrell.
The purpose of the scoping exercise was to advise the Minister as to whether any further investigation or inquiry beyond those already carried out was necessary and, if so, to advise on the form of such investigation or inquiry and its terms of reference
Judge Haughton submitted his final report to me on 1 June. Upon receipt of the final report the advice of the Attorney General was sought in relation to the issue of publication and other matters arising. I am currently considering the Report and the Attorney General’s advice which I have received.
1550. Deputy Charles Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice the number persons from Georgia, Azerbaijan and Armenia who have arrived in Ireland over each of the past six months who have sought international protection. [40205/22]
View answerFor those who are in the international protection process, our objective is to have decisions made on their applications, including the permission to remain consideration, as soon as possible. This ensures that those who are found to be in need of our protection can receive it quickly and begin rebuilding their lives here with a sense of safety and security.
The table below provides the number of applications for international protection made between January and June 2022 from persons who stated Georgia, Armenia and Azerbijan as their country of nationality, broken down by month.
|
Nationality |
January |
February |
March |
April |
May |
June |
|
Georgia |
49 |
57 |
113 |
198 |
340 |
424 |
|
Azerbaijan |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
|
Armenia |
0 |
0 |
0 |
0 |
5 |
0 |
Where the number of applications for individual countries is low (less than 6), a further breakdown is not provided. This is for reasons of confidentiality, as provided for under Section 26 of the International Protection Act 2015.
I can assure the Deputy that my Department continues to work to improve the international protection process and to reduce processing times, in line with the recommendations made by the Expert Advisory Group, led by Dr. Catherine Day, and the commitments in the Government's White Paper, published by my colleague, Minister Roderic O’Gorman. However, the substantially higher number of applications currently being received will present a significant challenge in achieving this.
My Department is taking all possible steps to ensure we can process applications as quickly as possible. An end-to-end review of relevant international protection processes by a multi-disciplinary team from my Department has been completed and published. New measures and procedures will continue to be put in place to improve efficiencies across all aspects of the protection process.
Since the introduction of new efficiency measures, in the first six months of this year we have been able to increase the number of first instance recommendations and permission to remain decisions being made by the IPO by 56% when compared with the same period pre-Covid in 2019.
We will continue to look further at how we increase the processing capacity of the IPO to match the very significant number of international protection applications being received, including through the recruitment of an external panel of barristers, solicitors and legal graduates, which is under way.
My Department will, by October 2022 at the latest, commence a review of progress made in reducing and improving processing times.
1551. Deputy Patrick Costello asked the Minister for Justice when information requested (details supplied) will be made available. [40211/22]
View answerI refer to your recent Parliamentary Question Numbers 571 to 575 for written answer on 31 May 2022 which sought information in relation to the recent reviews of sentence calculation in the Irish Prison Service. At the time the detailed information you required was not readily available and my officials in the Prison Service undertook to gather the data and revert to you as soon as it was to hand. I can advise that the information has been gathered and collated and is set out in the following tables (there have been a number of phases to the sentence calculation review and each is documented separately below).
In December 2020, information came to light that a prisoner was released 14 months early because of a miscalculation of his release date and this early release was the subject of adverse media coverage in January 2021. When it became clear that the release date had been miscalculated, the prisoner in question was returned to custody and the IPS were directed to report on the incident and review its practices. The purpose of the review was to provide assurance on the accuracy of sentence calculation for those in custody.
The Deputy will appreciate that the calculation of sentences can be a highly complex and technical process, especially when some prisoners have multiple warrants, with different sentence start dates and also taking account of credit for time served on remand. It is important to note that not all sentences that were recalculated were as a result of errors or misinterpretations, but some were as a result of a legal judgment which resulted in a change to sentence calculation policy.
A total 3,943 prisoner sentences were reviewed during the period February 2021 to July 2021 and the Prison Service has advised that there were 48 sentences which were altered as a result of the first review of sentences. The breakdown by prison is set out in Table 1.
Table 1 – Phase 1 Alteration of Sentences by Prison.
|
Prison |
Sentence Increased |
Sentenced Decreased |
|
Castlerea |
3 |
4 |
|
Dóchas |
3 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
2 |
2 |
|
Mountjoy |
6 |
5 |
|
Portlaoise |
0 |
1 |
|
Wheatfield |
9 |
12 |
|
Total |
23 |
25 |
In addition, a more detailed review of sentences conducted in July 2021 focused on credit for time served on remand identified a further 83 cases whereby sentences were altered following review. The breakdown by prison is set out in Table 2 below.
Table 2 - Phase 2 Alteration of Sentences by Prison
|
Prison |
Sentence Increased |
Sentenced Decreased |
|
Arbour Hill |
2 |
0 |
|
Castlerea |
30 |
1 |
|
Cork |
1 |
1 |
|
Limerick |
1 |
1 |
|
Loughan |
2 |
0 |
|
Mountjoy |
13 |
1 |
|
Midlands |
9 |
1 |
|
Portlaoise |
4 |
0 |
|
Cloverhill |
1 |
0 |
|
Shelton Abbey |
0 |
0 |
|
Wheatfield |
14 |
1 |
|
Total |
77 |
6 |
I am advised that one prisoner took a Judicial Review in the High Court with regard to the recalculation of his sentence. The application was not successful in the High Court but was successfully appealed in the Court of Appeal.
Following the Appeal Court ruling heard in October 2021, the Prison Service were required to amend the Sentence Calculation Policy with regard to the application of "Credit Days” in consultation with the office of the Attorney General.
There have been no other legal challenges to sentence calculation arising from the review. Following the revision of the Prison Service Sentence Calculation Policy on foot of the judgment of the Court of Appeal, the Service carried out a further review of sentences that could have been impacted by the judgment. As a result, 54 sentences were identified and were altered taking account of the ruling of the Court of Appeal. Details of these cases are set out in Table 3. All cases resulted in the sentence length being reduced and five prisoners were released immediately (Table 4).
Table 3 - Alteration of sentences following court of Appeal Judgement.
|
Prison |
Count |
|
Castlerea Prison |
14 |
|
Cork Prison |
3 |
|
Limerick Prison |
1 |
|
Midlands |
9 |
|
Mountjoy Prison |
10 |
|
Portlaoise Prison |
4 |
|
Wheatfield Prison |
13 |
|
Total |
54 |
Table 4–Immediate Releases from custody following Court of Appeal Judgement.
|
Prison |
Count |
|
Castlerea |
1 |
|
Midlands |
1 |
|
Mountjoy |
3 |
|
Total |
5 |
Finally, I can inform the Deputy that the arrangements are being finalised for the management of the external review referred to previously and further information will be available in this regard in the near future.
1554. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the number of Garda assets profilers attached to each Garda division as of 1 January 2021 and 14 July 2022, in tabular form. [40273/22]
View answerI am informed that Divisional Asset Profilers are local policing resources, trained by the Criminal Assets Bureau and tasked with continuously providing a criminal asset profiling service in each Garda Division. These profilers are the eyes and ears of the Bureau, as they cover every corner of the country and have first-hand knowledge of criminality in their geographic locations. The Divisional Asset Profiler Network provides the Bureau with an increased reach to all areas throughout the country.
I am further informed the current role of the Divisional Asset Profiler is to liaise with and assist the Bureau in the course of investigations within their respective Garda Divisions. The Divisional Asset Profilers are tasked locally with preparing asset profiles on local criminals and referring them to the Bureau for consideration of action pursuant to its statutory remit. The Bureau maintain a system to monitor the tasking of Divisional Asset Profilers.
I am advised the number of Divisional Asset Profilers trained in the area of identifying and targeting the proceeds of crime and associated investigations has increased from 208 in 2016 to 576 as of 30 June 2022.
I am further advised the Criminal Assets Bureau conducts training courses for Asset Profilers twice per year. For the most part, Asset Profilers are members of An Garda Síochána from local divisions and from special units. In addition, a small number have been trained from the Department of Social Protection, the Office of the Revenue Commissioners and other special relevant bodies.
The below table provided by the Criminal Assets Bureau provides a high level view of the number of Garda assets profilers. This is followed by additional tables containing a breakdown of the number of Asset Profilers by Garda Division and other specialist areas. Figures in all tables are as of 30 June 2022 and 1 January 2021. I am advised from time to time the figures may vary slightly due to retirements, transfers and promotions which may not be captured in real time.
|
Total CAB Profilers |
As of 30/06/22 |
As of 01/01/21 |
|
Garda DMR |
149 |
122 |
|
Garda non-DMR |
396 |
322 |
|
Total Garda Profilers |
545 |
444 |
|
Revenue |
19 |
17 |
|
DSP |
8 |
8 |
|
CCPC |
2 |
- |
|
HPRA |
2 |
- |
|
Total |
576 |
469 |
|
DMR |
As of 30/06/22 |
As of 01/01/21 |
|
DMR East |
17 |
14 |
|
DMR North |
26 |
20 |
|
DMR North Central |
27 |
24 |
|
DMR South |
29 |
20 |
|
DMR South Central |
13 |
11 |
|
DMR West |
33 |
28 |
|
DMR - CTU |
2 |
3 |
|
DMR Roads Policing (SIU) |
2 |
2 |
|
DMR Total |
149 |
122 |
|
NON DMR |
As of 30/06/22 |
As of 01/01/21 |
|
CRIME & SECURITY INTELLIGENCE SERVICE |
||
|
SDU |
8 |
12 |
|
GNCSIS |
16 |
7 |
|
TOTAL |
24 |
19 |
|
EASTERN REGION |
||
|
Waterford/Kilkenny/Carlow |
24 |
23 |
|
Kildare/Laois/Offaly |
28 |
23 |
|
Meath/Westmeath |
26 |
22 |
|
Wexford/Wicklow |
22 |
19 |
|
TOTAL |
100 |
87 |
|
GOVERNANCE & ACCOUNTABILITY |
||
|
Anti Corruption Unit |
3 |
- |
|
TOTAL |
3 |
- |
|
NORTH WESTERN REGION |
||
|
Cavan/Monaghan |
18 |
12 |
|
Donegal |
11 |
8 |
|
Galway |
13 |
10 |
|
Louth |
18 |
14 |
|
Mayo/Roscommon/Longford |
27 |
23 |
|
Sligo/Leitrim |
14 |
10 |
|
TOTAL |
101 |
77 |
|
ORGANISED & SERIOUS CRIME |
||
|
GNCCB |
2 |
6 |
|
GNDOCB |
14 |
13 |
|
GNECB |
14 |
9 |
|
GNIB |
7 |
6 |
|
GNPSB |
9 |
5 |
|
GNBCI |
17 |
17 |
|
TOTAL |
63 |
56 |
|
SOUTHERN |
||
|
Cork City |
17 |
15 |
|
Cork North |
12 |
7 |
|
Cork West |
11 |
9 |
|
Kerry |
10 |
10 |
|
Clare/Tipperary |
22 |
18 |
|
Limerick |
22 |
14 |
|
TOTAL |
94 |
73 |
|
DSP - Garda |
11 |
10 |
|
TOTAL |
11 |
10 |
|
NON DMR - TOTAL |
396 |
322 |
1555. Deputy Alan Kelly asked the Minister for Justice the estimated cost in 2023 if the number of dogs in the Garda dog unit increased by 50%; the estimated cost in 2023 if the number of horses in the Garda mounted unit increased by 50%. [40274/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will appreciate, the Garda Commissioner is responsible under the law for the management and administration of An Garda Síochána, including any decisions in relation to the allocation and control of Garda equipment and resources. As Minister for Justice, I have no direct role in these matters.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the Garda Dog Unit is based at Kilmainham Garda Station in the Dublin Metropolitan Region.
I am further advised that there are currently 28 dogs attached to the Garda Dog Unit, and that based on the current cost of purchasing Garda Dogs which is in the range of €2,000 - €4,000, it is estimated that the purchase of 14 additional dogs could range from €28,000 and €56,000.
I am informed that the Garda Mounted Unit is based at Áras an Uachtaráin, Phoenix Park, Dublin 8 and also has a national remit.
I am further informed that there are currently 13 horses attached to the Garda Mounted Unit, and that the current cost of increasing the number of horses to 20 is estimated at approximately €70,000.
These estimates do not include the costs of increased personnel, running costs and capital accommodation costs which would be necessitated by a 50% expansion in the number of animals within the respective units.
1556. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the make-up of the Expert Firearms Committee which was recently established to review the legislation regarding firearms licensing; the appointment process involved in appointing the members of this committee; the criteria required to be appointed a member of the Expert Firearms Committee; the level of consultation that took place with individual gun clubs and their representative organisation (details supplied); if the representative organisation is represented on the committee; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40293/22]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, on 31 March, 2022, I sought expressions of interests from suitably qualified candidates for appointment to the Firearms Expert Committee. This call was published on the website of my Department and shared with various stakeholder organisations, including the organisation referred to by the Deputy.
The Committee is made up of five members: an independent Chairperson, a representative of An Garda Síochána, a representative of the Department and two non-governmental Ordinary Members having experience of firearms. This structure was chosen to give balanced representation to both governmental and non-governmental stakeholders.
As advised in the expression of interest document, the Ordinary Members of the Committee have been appointed on a personal basis only and not as formal representatives of a particular body or group. I would point out, however, that both of the Ordinary Members appointed are, or have been, members of national firearms organisations, including the organisation referred to by the Deputy. I also discussed the Committee with the organisation referred to by the Deputy at a meeting I held with its representatives in April.
The call for expressions of interest was administered by officials in my Department, who will also act as the Secretariat to the Committee. In total, 14 applications were received for the position of Chairperson and 34 for the positions of Ordinary Member.
Given the number of well-qualified applicants, I requested that shortlists of candidates be prepared for final consideration. These shortlists were prepared by assessing applications against the suitability indicators listed in the expression of interest document. After careful consideration, I then selected the candidates for appointment from these shortlists.
Following the selection process for appointment to the Committee, Ms. Emma Meagher Neville was selected for the position of Chairperson. Ms. Meagher Neville qualified as a solicitor in 1998 and is currently the Vice President of the Southern Law Association (SLA) and a Council member of the Law Society of Ireland. Mr. Paul Walsh and Mr. Fabian Connolly, both Registered Firearms Dealers with extensive experience in different types of shooting, have been selected for the positions of Ordinary Member. Superintendent Brian Murphy was nominated to represent An Garda Síochána on the Committee and Mr. John Guinane, the Firearms Range Inspector, has been appointed to represent the Department. The first meeting of the Committee was held today, 26 July, 2022.
The Committee will serve in a Ministerial advisory capacity and bring together the expertise necessary to carry out an assessment of all types of firearms to determine their current use under the existing licensing system and their suitability for future licensing. In doing so, it will give consideration to areas that can be the source of inconsistency in licensing decisions, and it is intended that its report will provide authoritative guidance for use by my Department and An Garda Síochána in future licensing matters. In line with its terms of reference, the Committee is tasked with making recommendations on these matters for subsequent consideration by the Minister.
However, the Committee will not be the only consultation with firearms stakeholders in the coming period. Justice Plan 2022 contains a commitment to undertake an extensive review aimed at modernising the firearms legislation. Within the plan, Action 34.3 outlines a commitment to identify all outstanding issues requiring reform in the management and processing of firearms licensing. In advance of any new or amending measures being introduced, I will be seeking to consult all relevant stakeholders in respect of this work.
Furthermore, recognising the skills and experience demonstrated in the expressions of interest received for appointment to the Committee, I am considering establishing new avenues for consultation with firearms stakeholders, especially with those who have unique and specialist insights into firearms matters. To this end, I directed the secretary of the Firearms Expert Committee to seek permission from persons who expressed an interest in being appointed to the Committee to engage with them further.
The regulatory structure around firearms in Ireland would benefit from modernisation in various areas. The work of the Committee will contribute towards this process, to the benefit of firearms owners and other members of the public alike, and I am sure that the Committee, under its independent Chairperson, will consider how best to ensure that the views of everyone with an interest in firearms matters in Ireland are taken into account in its deliberations.
1557. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice the steps that have been taken to meet the commitment to have citizenship applications processed within a year; the number of applications in the system; the current wait time for applications made prior to 2022; the current wait time for applications made in 2022; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40341/22]
View answer1581. Deputy Richard Boyd Barrett asked the Minister for Justice the current average processing time for a citizenship application; if her Department is still on course to achieve processing times of six to nine months by the end of 2022, as stated earlier in the year; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41007/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 1557 and 1581 together.
My Justice Plan 2022 commits to developing a fully digital, customer-centric immigration service and to enhance the efficiency of our immigration system. In line with these commitments, a number of actions have been taken to reduce the impact on immigration processing times, including the introduction of online applications, a new customer service helpdesk and a new customer-focused immigration website.
As a result of the introduction of the temporary statutory declaration process in January 2021, and the assignment of additional staff to the citizenship team, last year, 11,512 citizenship decisions were made. This is the highest number of decisions made annually since 2015 and reflects positively the significant changes undertaken to date.
For the first six months of 2022, almost 7,900 citizenship decisions have been issued, including 1,005 decisions on minor applications. This exceeds the total number of minor decisions issued during the whole of last year; when 868 minor decisions were made.
Since 1 January 2022, new applicants for citizenship no longer have to submit their original passport with their application. Instead, they can provide a full colour copy of their entire passport, including the front and back covers. This is also freeing up valuable staff that up to now have been engaged in returning passports to applicants and will also help to reduce processing times.
A number of digitisation measures have also been introduced to increase efficiency in the process, including eTax clearance, eVetting and online payments. The end result of the digitisation process will be to free up more staff to focus on processing applications in a timely and efficient manner, to improve service to our customers and reduce waiting times.
A scorecard was also introduced to help applicants to complete their applications with greater certainty than before. A review of this is currently being undertaken and an updated version is due to be published shortly.
There are currently approximately 25,500 naturalisation applications in progress, including 2,908 approved applications that require the completion and submission of the declaration of fidelity to the nation and loyalty to the State; the payment of the statutory fee; and the submission of other required documents by the applicants. These applications can then be finalised and the certificate of naturalisation awarded.
The processing time for applications was 23 months last year and now stands at 19 months for decisions issued in the first six months of 2022. The table below sets out the average processing times by year since 2015, along with the number of applications decided in each of those years.
|
Year |
Number of Applications decided |
Average Processing Time (Months) |
|
2015 |
12,869 |
7 |
|
2016 |
11,081 |
6 |
|
2017 |
9,190 |
7 |
|
2018 |
11,139 |
10 |
|
2019 |
9,319 |
12 |
|
2020 |
3,551 |
13 |
|
2021 |
11,512 |
23 |
Finally, my Department hosted the first in-person citizenship ceremony since the pandemic on 20 June 2022 with 950 people receiving their certificate of naturalisation. Further ceremonies are planned for December, in Killarney.
1558. Deputy Jennifer Carroll MacNeill asked the Minister for Justice her plans to introduce multi-annual funding for the domestic violence sector; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40373/22]
View answerI would like to thank the Deputy for raising this issue and to assure her that protecting and supporting victims of domestic violence is a key priority for me as Minister for Justice. As I know the Deputy is aware, I recently published Zero Tolerance: the Third National Strategy to Combat Domestic, Sexual and Gender-based Violence (DSGBV). The goal of our third national strategy is clear: zero tolerance in Irish society for any form of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. It is an ambitious five-year programme of reform to achieve a society which does not accept DSGBV or the attitudes which underpin it. Under the Strategy the intention is to explore the potential for the introduction of standardised multi-annual funding structures, processes and service agreements that consider the full economic costs of DSGBV service delivery. In this regard, my Department currently funds a number of NGOs that provide supports for victims of crime planned on a multi-annual basis.
1559. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider extending a temporary family visa to a person (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40384/22]
View answerAny non-EEA national who comes to the State as a visitor is expected to leave Ireland before the expiry of their visitor permission. Any Extension of Visitor Conditions (EVIC) application would only be granted where the circumstances have changed from the time the person was granted the original visa or from when they entered the State if they are not from a visa required country.
If the person referred to by the Deputy requires an extension of their visitor permission, it is open to them to make an application. All applications are processed within two weeks of receipt. Any application should clearly state the reasons for the extension and provide all appropriate documentary evidence, for example medical reports, in support of the application.
The person concerned may provide their email address on their application and request that the decision issue via email. Further information on how to apply is available on my Department's website at: www.irishimmigration.ie/extension-of-visitor-permission/.
1560. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of registrations that An Garda Síochána immigration offices are processing each week outside of the Dublin region; and the average wait times for appointments for each office. [40573/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, registrations for people living outside of the Dublin area are processed by the Garda National Immigration Bureau (GNIB) through the Garda Station network.
I have sought the information requested from the Garda Commissioner and I will write to the Deputy directly once the information is received.
1561. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of times that members of An Garda Síochána discharged a firearm during the course of their duty in 2019, 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40574/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
The following deferred reply was received under Standing Order 51:
As you will recall, Minister McEntee sought the information from the Garda authorities and undertook to contact you again once the information was to hand. As I have since taken office I am responding to your question.
As you will be aware, under the Garda Síochána Act 2005 (as amended), the Garda Commissioner is responsible for the administration and management of An Garda Síochána, including operational policing matters. As Minister, I have no direct role.
I am advised by the Garda authorities that the table below sets out the number of times that members of An Garda Síochána discharged a firearm during the course of their duty in 2019 to 2021 and to-date in 2022.
|
Year |
Lethal |
* Less / Non Lethal |
Total |
|
2019 |
1 |
2 |
3 |
|
2020 |
7 |
9 |
16 |
|
2021 |
8 |
5 |
13 |
|
2022 (up to October 2022) |
0 |
3 |
3 |
* Less lethal weapons are designed to cause less serious injuries than traditional firearms, while non-lethal weapons are designed to disable or subdue an assailant without causing death or serious injury.
Further information can be found using the below link:
https://garda.ie/en/information-centre/statistics/
1562. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of persons successfully prosecuted for offences under section 72 of the Criminal Justice Act 2006 in 2020, 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40575/22]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, prosecutions are a matter for the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) who is independent in her functions under the Prosecution of Offences Act 1974 (as amended). As Minister, I have no role in the functions, operations, oversight or governance of the Office of the DPP and am unable to provide any statistical information relating to the work of the Director.
The Deputy will also appreciate that membership of criminal gangs tends to be fluid and the nature of criminal activity is such that offences committed by members of gangs may or may not be connected with the individual’s membership of such gangs. The existence of such gangs and their membership does not remain static.
For the Deputy's information, the Courts Service has a dedicated email address for the provision of information to members of the Houses of the Oireachtas: oireachtasenquiries@courts.ie.
1563. Deputy Catherine Murphy asked the Minister for Justice the number of times that members of An Garda Síochána have used tasers in the course of their work in 2021 and to date in 2022, in tabular form. [40576/22]
View answerI have contacted An Garda Síochána for the information requested by the Deputy, regretfully this information was not available in time. I will write to the Deputy once the information is to hand.
|
Year |
Number of times taser discharged |
|
2021 |
24 |
|
2022* |
11 |
|
TOTAL |
35 |
1564. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Justice the additional legislative measures required to ensure that the State is compliant with all of the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 of the Second Optional Protocol to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child; and if she is satisfied with the delay in Ireland’s ratification of the Second Optional Protocol and the resultant negative consequences for Ireland’s human rights record. [40601/22]
View answerThe Government continues to be strongly committed to the ratification of the Second Optional Protocol to the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
A number of significant pieces of legislation had to be passed to ensure that Ireland is in compliance with the obligations of the Optional Protocol. The enactment of the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 2017 and the Criminal Justice (Victims of Crime) Act 2017 constituted key steps on the pathway to the ratification of the Optional Protocol.
The Office of the Attorney General advised that a small number of additional legislative measures are required to ensure that the State is compliant with all of the extra-territorial jurisdiction requirements under Article 3.1 of the Protocol. The further necessary legislative amendments have been included in the General Scheme of the Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Bill 2022 which will shortly be submitted to the Government for approval. Once this Bill is enacted, Ireland should be in a position to ratify the Second Optional Protocol.
