asked the Minister for Justice if it is proposed to carry out an examination of the legal code with a view to the removal of archaic laws and to bring the law generally into line with present day requirements.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Reform.
99.
As the Deputy is aware, the law consists of the common law and a great many statutes and instruments made under statute dealing with a wide variety of matters. A Minister introduces legislation on any matter within the ambit of his functions according as he has specific proposals to make after consultation with his colleagues. It has recently been announced that it is intended very shortly to establish a law reform commission whose basic task will be to consider, either on their initiative or in response to specific requests, any aspect of the law in which changes might appear to be desirable and to make recommendations in respect thereof.
It was recently pointed out in the Garda Review that the archaic laws on the statute books were inhibiting the pursuit of justice. Therefore, it is urgent that these archaic laws, which are hampering the Garda trying to prosecute criminals, should be tackled.
The Deputy will be glad to know that some of the specific matters to which he refers are being attended to. I am chary of giving a date when the amending legislation will be introduced but the Deputy can take it that it will be in the near future.
Question No. 100 postponed.