Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 18 January 2023
631. Deputy Thomas Pringle asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Defence if all sections of all Acts passed in the past ten years have been commenced; the number of sections that are outstanding; the number of Acts that have review periods; if the reviews have taken place; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [63377/22]
Amharc ar fhreagraApart from the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act 2022, all other Acts from the Department of Defence which were passed over the last 10 years have been fully commenced.
In relation to the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act 2022, the Deputy might note that this Act was signed by the President on the 6th of July 2022. The principal purpose of this Act, which contains 94 sections, is to provide for members of the Military Police to take and use DNA samples and other evidence for the purposes of their investigations, including outside the jurisdiction of the State when Defence Forces personnel are deployed overseas.
Section 66 of the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act 2022 provides for a review of the operation of Parts 6 and 7 of the Act not later than 6 years after the commencement of that section. None of the other Acts passed in the past 10 years have review periods.
In relation to the commencement of the Defence Forces (Evidence) Act, there is a requirement for regulations to be completed and administrative procedures to be put in place before a commencement order can be made. This work is ongoing.
