Lynn Ruane (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 5, lines 14 and 15, to delete “sections 1, 3, 4, 5and 6and the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016” and substitute “section 2, Part 2and the Act of 2016”.

I thank the Minister for being here. We have many amendments to get through in two hours, so I will not speak at length as I move my amendments. I thank the Minister for his support for the Bill on Second Stage and the engagement he has allowed between my office and his officials.

I also thank the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality for its July hearings on unspent convictions reform, as well as its October report and recommendations. I am proposing to enact many of those recommendations into the legislation today. I also thank the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers, OPLA, the Irish Penal Reform Trust, IPRT, and Seb McAteer in my office for their help in preparing for today. I also thank the officials from the Minister's Department whom I met recently. Amendments Nos. 1 to 3, inclusive, are technical amendments dealing with minor changes to citations and construction provisions. I am tabling them on the advice of the Office of Parliamentary Legal Advisers.