Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)

On the Deputy's first question, I understand that seven people are in prison on the basis of being convinced under section 1(1) of the 1935 Act. They are in custody solely on that basis. The prison authorities are in discussion with the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Attorney General about those people. In addition to them, others affected by the Supreme Court judgement are persons charged under section 1(1) of the Act who are on bail, persons charged who are being remanded in custody pending trial, persons found guilty of an offence under section 1(1) of the Act who are awaiting sentence, persons who have completed a sentence on the basis of a conviction under section 1(1) of the Act who are subject to reporting requirements to the Garda Síochána under the Sexual Offenders Act 2001, and persons who have completed a sentence on the basis of a conviction and have a criminal offence recorded against them. I do not have the numbers for persons in that category.

On the legislation, I very much appreciate the support of the Deputy and the commitments he made yesterday and today on this matter. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy McDowell, will brief the Cabinet on Tuesday and the intention is to have legislation in about a fortnight. Given the complexity of the legislation and what we are seeking to deal with, that is reasonable in the circumstances. We would wish to have it today but that is not possible.

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