Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

399. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he will provide an update on the latest developments with legislation to disregard historic convictions for offences which targeted the LGBTQ+ community; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23725/23]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

As the Deputy may be aware, a progress report from the Working Group to Examine the Disregard of Convictions for Certain Qualifying Offences Related to Consensual Sexual Activity between Men was published on Thursday, 5 May 2022 by Minister Helen McEntee.

The Victorian-era laws which were repealed by the Criminal Law (Sexual Offences) Act 1993 caused immeasurable harm to generations of gay and bisexual men, criminalising and stigmatising them simply because of their sexual orientation.

Since the publication of the Progress Report in May last, work has been ongoing to progress all of the next steps in the report. A public consultation was launched on 4 November 2022 and closed on 9 December 2022. As part of the consultation, affected persons and representative organisations were asked to provide input on a number of key issues, based on their lived experience.

One hundred and forty-eight (148) submissions from individuals, LGBTQI+ representative organisations, other non-governmental organisations, trade unions and political parties and representatives were received. Their responses have informed the final recommendations of the Working Group.

The Government wants to ensure that any potential scheme is as effective and accessible as possible so that we can exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws.

The most recent meeting of the Working Group took place recently at which final recommendations were agreed by the Working Group.

The report and recommendations of the Working Group are currently being finalised.