Mick Barry (Cork North Central, Anti-Austerity Alliance)
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124. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality if her Department has noted the success of the campaign in the UK to pardon persons convicted under the homophobic gross indecency laws of the past; and if she will consider a similar measure here. [41388/16]

Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)
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I would like to inform the Deputy that I am aware of the steps being taken in the UK to provide pardons to certain persons convicted of gross indecency offences in the past. I am sure that the Deputy is also aware of the Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016, which is a Private Members Bill recently published in the Seanad. The Bill seeks to provide for an apology to and exoneration of persons convicted of certain, now abolished, sexual offences involving consensual sexual acts between adult males. I have asked officials in my Department to carefully consider the proposals contained in the Bill and any associated practical and policy implications. That process is ongoing.