Tommy Broughan (Dublin North East, Labour)
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Question 762: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to introduce legislation to reform the law on begging; the key provisions that will be contained in the new legislation; the expected date of publication; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39406/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The drafting of new legislation on begging is at an advanced stage. I hope to be in a position to bring the Bill to Government shortly, for its approval to publish.

The new legislation will take account of the High Court judgement in the Dillon case. The Court held in that case that the current law, i.e. Section 3 of the Vagrancy (Ireland) Act 1847, was unconstitutional.

In addition to defining the offence, the Bill is likely to provide the Gardaí with new powers under which they may direct a person who is begging to desist and to move away from the area. I believe that will provide an effective means of addressing the issue in most instances.