Mark Ward (Dublin Mid West, Sinn Fein)

I thank the Minister. It is hard to believe that only 32 years ago it was illegal to be gay in Ireland. In 1993, when the law was changed, I was only 18. I was not aware of this rule when I was 18 but you can bet your life if I had been a young gay man, I would have been. Gay men at the time would have been driven underground. They suffered trauma and abuse. Ireland has come a long way since 1993, mostly for the better. It is hard to believe that being gay was a crime until 1993. It is still hard to believe that there are men who have convictions for being gay prior to 1993. The last record I have is that between 1983 and 1993, there were 64 convictions. Most of these men are probably still alive at this stage.

I am aware that the Minister has competing interests. I am on the justice committee so I know how busy we are. However, this is a chance to do the right thing. I welcome the Minister's comments on bringing provisions forward through a miscellaneous provisions Bill. Would these provisions quash individual convictions or what way would it work?

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