Catherine Connolly (Galway West, Independent)
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338. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to publish the written submissions received by the Independent Review Group in its preparation of the Offences Against the State Acts review; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [31729/23]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Last week, following their consideration by Government, I published the majority report and the minority report of the Independent Review Group appointed to examine all aspects of the Offences Against the State Acts.

As set out in the report of the majority, the Review Group undertook a public consultation to inform its deliberations. Submissions were received from a number of statutory agencies, academics, human rights organisations and other interested organisations and also a small number of private individuals. A full list of the organisations and individuals who made submissions is set out in the report of the majority.

The views contained in the submissions are helpfully summarised at various junctures in the report of the majority in particular.

There is value in making the outputs from public consultation processes available and I am aware that a number of those who made submissions to the Review Group have already done so. I am, however, conscious that some of the submissions may have been made on a confidential basis and therefore I have asked my officials to consult with the Chairperson of the Review Group before coming to a view as to whether some or all of the submissions may be published.