Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)

I thank the Deputy. Just to add to the statistics, because it is important we know the extent of what we are potentially talking about, it is hard to be definitive but research indicates that between 1950 and 1993, when homosexuality was decriminalised, approximately 940 men received convictions under the Offences Against the Person Act or the Criminal Law (Amendment) Act 1885. The Deputy is absolutely correct. A number of these men will still be alive and will still have convictions over their name for something that we now regard as something that should not have been criminalised in the past. I do not want a scheme that is going to be too complicated or onerous. I want a scheme whereby individuals will have to apply, and also an opportunity for representatives of a deceased person to apply. Although many of the 64 men will be alive, there are men from before that and a majority of the 940 who probably are deceased. We need to ensure there is an opportunity for the living and for representatives of the recently deceased to bring an application in respect of this.

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