Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 207: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the Spent Convictions Bill which was introduced initially in 2007, but did not complete its passage, will be re-introduced; and the expected timescale in relation to same. [36021/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The Spent Convictions Bill 2007 was introduced in October 2007 as a Private Members Bill by Mr Barry Andrews, TD (who has in the meantime been appointed to the post of Minister for Children and Youth Affairs). Deputy Andrews had previously introduced the Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill in March 2007. It addressed similar issues to those dealt with in the Spent Convictions Bill. However, the Rehabilitation of Offenders Bill fell with the dissolution of the 29th Dáil. The Government agreed to take over the Spent Convictions Bill 2007 and to progress it through all stages in Government time. The Spent Convictions Bill 2007 is now awaiting Committee Stage in the Dáil, having completed Second Stage on 18 December 2008.