Vol. 415 No. 3
63 Mr. J. Bruton asked the Minister for Justice if he will give details of the action, if any, that has been taken under article 8 of the Anglo-Irish Agreement to consider whether there are areas of criminal law applying in Northern Ireland and in this State respectively which could beneficially be harmonised; and if so, if he will outline the results of this work in terms of legislation passed or introduced.
The question of possible harmonisation of areas of the criminal law applying in this State and Northern Ireland, which might with benefit be harmonised, has been discussed within the framework of the Anglo-Irish Conference in accordance with Article 8 of the Agreement. Harmonisation of the criminal law, of course, raises complex issues requiring detailed consideration and can only be achieved over time. One area, in which progress has already been achieved recently is the law on criminal damage. The Criminal Damage Act, 1991, has closely aligned the law on criminal damage to tangible property with that applicable in Northern Ireland.
Further progress towards greater harmonisation will be made as appropriate as the Government's programme of law reform — which includes a number of proposals to update the criminal law — is given effect.
