Mervyn Taylor
Ceist:7 Mr. Taylor asked the Taoiseach if he has met or intends to meet the Law Reform Commission to discuss the Commission's programme for law reform, and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna — Questions. Oral Answers. - Law Reform Commission's Programme.
I am making arrangements to meet with the Law Reform Commission in the near future to discuss the commission's programme on law reform.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he has given or will give directives on any branches of the law he will be asking the Law Reform Commission to deal with, for example, family law, contract law and so on and the nature of these directives?
These matters will be considered at our first meeting. I will discuss the items raised by the Deputy with the Attorney General in advance of the meeting in the Law Reform Commission.
Is the Taoiseach concerned that a large number of excellent reports published by the Law Reform Commission are not being implemented and are gathering dust on shelves? The Law Reform Commission went to considerable trouble and expense to research and prepare these reports. Can the Taoiseach assure the House that henceforth a more energetic programme of law reform will be undertaken by the Government and the House to fulfil those reports which have been prepared over a number of years?
It is true that a number of reports have not yet been implemented but responsibility rests with the individual Departments. We are constantly looking at the various aspects which have not been implemented. The Law Reform Commission would be the first to recognise that they do not have a monopoly of wisdom in these areas. It is a matter for decision afterwards as to whether all the recommendations should be implemented.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will ask the Law Reform Commission to give a high priority in their work to the study they have been asked to undertake on the issue of occupiers' liability for injury to uninvited visitors on their property in view of the fact that the present legal position in this regard is likely to lead to occupiers refusing access to national monuments, refusing access to tourists who wish to walk in scenic areas and refusing access to people who want to engage in country sports? Unless this is sorted out quickly the present legal position may frustrate whatever efforts the Government are making to promote rural based tourism.
The Deputy is bringing in many separate matters worthy of separate questions.
I note what the Deputy has said. These matters will be put to the Law Reform Commission as a matter of priority.
May I ask the Taoiseach if he will discuss with the Law Reform Commission the desirability of establishing a separate group within the Law Reform Commission to deal exclusively with criminal law? In view of the vast amount of work to be undertaken in this area, will the Taoiseach agree there is some merit in the suggestion that a separate commission should be established to deal with the criminal law as opposed to the civil law?
I will certainly take up this point with the Law Reform Commission at our first meeting.