Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 4 Feb 1992

Vol. 415 No. 3

Written Answers. - Legislation on Homosexual Activities.

Proinsias De Rossa

Ceist:

46 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for Justice the reasons for the delay in bringing forward legislation to decriminalise homosexual activities between consenting adults in view of the fact that (a) he promised in December 1990 that it would be introduced during the following year and (b) it is now more than three years since the judgement of the European Court of Human Rights in the Norris case; when it is intended to bring forward the legislation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

Minister for Justice (Mr. Burke)

While the decision of the European Court in this matter was delivered in October 1988 the recommendations of the Law Reform Commission, which consider the issues raised by the case in a broader context, were published in September 1990.

Work is progressing on the preparation of this legislation as quickly as other urgent legislative priorities and available resources permit. The recent review of the Programme for Government reaffirmed the commitment to bring forward legislation to comply with the judgment of the European Court of Human rights in this case. I hope to publish my proposals later this year.