Michael D'Arcy (Wexford, Fine Gael)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce a version of Megan's law to allow communities the information that a former sex offender is living within their area. [32151/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The Sex Offenders Act 2001 provides that the details of all convicted sex offenders be recorded on a sex offenders register. The requirement to register is just one component of the external monitoring of convicted sex offenders. The register is the property of An Garda Síochána and is not available to the public. In exceptional circumstances, such as where the Gardaí are aware of an immediate or serious threat from a particular individual, they may decide to disclose the name of that individual to persons on a strict need to know basis.

In November 2006, a Memorandum of Understanding between Ireland and the UK was signed in relation to the sharing of information on convicted sex offenders travelling between Ireland and our neighbouring jurisdictions. I intend to place this on a statutory basis in a Sexual Offences Bill currently being prepared in my Department. In that context, the operation of the sex offenders register is being examined to identify ways it can be made more relevant and expanded. I have no plans, at this time, to allow for unrestricted public access to the register, as envisaged in 'Megan's law' type legislation.