Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

I will go through the Bills to which the Deputy refers in detail. Dealing with violent crime and murder is an operational matter for the Garda Síochána. The force is devoting many of its resources to dealing with these matters and is enjoying much success in many respects. I do not wish to take away from the seriousness of the ongoing problem but it is not just a question of enacting legislation. A great deal of appropriate legislation has been enacted in recent years and has been of major assistance to the Garda Síochána in dealing with the matters to which I refer. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Dermot Ahern, is committed to bringing forward further legislation.

Drafting is progressing in respect of the criminal justice (forensic sampling and evidence) Bill. In light of the need for further consultations on procedural and technical aspects, as well as the need to study the judgment of the European Court of Human Rights on 4 December last in the case of S and Marper v. UK on the retention, etc., of samples and profiles, it now seems unlikely that the Bill will be ready for publication before the end of January next. The reason for this is that we must ensure that we make provision in respect of the issue to which I refer. The judgment of the European Court of Human Rights is being examined by the Department and the Office of the Attorney General. Publication will take place sometime after the conclusion of this examination.

Drafting on the criminal justice (miscellaneous provisions) Bill is expected to be completed by the end of the year. It has been necessary to include some additional amendments to existing firearms provisions. However, it is expected that the Bill will be submitted to the Government for approval to publish in January.

Drafting is ongoing in respect of the criminal justice (money laundering) Bill. A number of legal and technical issues have arisen and these have delayed progress on completing the Bill. It is unlikely that the Bill will be available this session.

The text of the property services (regulatory) Bill is being finalised, subject to clearance by the Attorney General on some technical and legal aspects. Drafting of the text of the sale of alcohol Bill has been delayed because the Parliamentary Counsel charged with responsibility in this regard is also drafting the property services (regulatory) Bill. There are doubts that the text of the sale of alcohol Bill can be ready for publication this session. However, it should be ready for publication early in the next session.

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