Charles Flanagan (Laois, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Senator Ruane for her interest in this legislation and for tabling the amendment. I am unable to accept the amendment because it is not open to our national central authority to convert the criminal record information that comes here into our own national interpretation. I consulted with the Attorney General on this and the advice was that it would be imprudent to accept the amendment. However, Members will recall we had a debate on Senator Ruane's Private Members' Bill on the matter of spent convictions. With both these amendments I will see how we could incorporate some of the matters raised by Senator Ruane into her own Private Members' Bill as it progresses through the House to see if we can accord the point she makes in respect of spent convictions. I am unable to accept the amendment in its current form.