Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 502: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the Spent Convictions Bill 2007; his plans to progress this bill in the Houses of the Oireachtas; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [29328/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Spent Convictions Bill 2007 is now awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, having completed Second Stage on 18 December 2008. As the Deputy will recall, the Bill was introduced as a Private Members Bill by my colleague, Barry Andrews TD, in October 2007. Subsequently, in early 2008, the Government agreed to take it over and to progress it as a Government Bill. During the Second Stage debate, Minister Andrews mentioned several issues in the Bill which would, in all probability, require amendment. Since then my Department has been seeking views from a wide range of bodies on the Bill's provisions and work is now under way on the identification of amendments to be brought forward at Committee Stage. However, I am unable to say at this point when the Committee and remaining Stages will take place.