Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 318: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in law following recent court decisions in relation to begging in public places such as traffic junctions; and if he plans to amend the law in any way. [42184/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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I am pleased to inform the Deputy that the Government recently approved my proposals for new legislation to deal with the outcome of the High Court judgment which found that section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847 was unconstitutional. That was the section under which prosecutions for begging were brought. The new legislation is being drafted. I expect it will be published in 2009. The General Scheme of the Bill is available on my Department's website.

The new legislation will provide that begging will be an offence where it is accompanied by unacceptable behaviour such as harassment, obstruction or intimidation. The Bill will also provide a new power that will enable the Garda to direct persons who are begging to desist. A failure to comply with a direction may result in an arrest and charge. I believe this new power will prove to be an effective addition to the enforcement options available to the Garda.