Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Wednesday, 13 Dec 1995

Vol. 459 No. 7

Written Answers. - Justice Legislation.

Ivor Callely

Ceist:

114 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Justice the number of Bills published by her Department for each of the years 1992 to date in 1995; the titles of the Bills; the number of these Bills that were passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas; if she has satisfied herself with progress in 1995; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [18688/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

In 1992 my Department published seven Bills, viz. the Criminal Evidence Bill, the Censorship of Films (Amendment) Bill, the Twelfth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, the Thirteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, the Fourteenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, the Criminal Justice Bill and the Interception of Postal Packets and Telecommunications Messages (Regulation) Bill.

In 1993 my Department published five Bills, viz. the Criminal Law (Suicide) Bill, the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Bill, the Criminal Procedure Bill, the Criminal Justice (Public Order) Bill and the Criminal Justice (No. 3) Bill.

In 1994 my Department published five Bills, viz. the Extradition (Amendment) Bill, the Irish Nationality and Citizenship Bill, the Solicitors (Amendment) Bill, the Courts and Court Officers Bill and the Refugee Bill.

In 1995 to date my Department has published five Bills, viz. the Criminal Law (Incest Proceedings) Bill, the Transfer of Sentenced Persons Bill, the Refugee Bill, the Courts and Court Officers Bill and the Intoxicating Liquor Bill. Of those Bills, 17 have been passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas.

In addition to the Bills published in 1995 I can assure the House that during the year very substantial and satisfactory progress has been made on a wide range of other measures — particularly in the area of criminal law — which are in the course of preparation in my Department. To mention just two examples: in recent weeks the Government approved the general schemes of the Criminal Justice (Drug Trafficking) Bill and the Children Bill, which deals primarily with juvenile justice, and these are now being drafted in the parliamentary draftsman's office.