asked the Minister for Justice when he intends to introduce legislation to abolish the death penalty in this country and if he will make a statement on the matter.

40.

asked the Minister for Justice when it is intended to honour the commitment contained in the Programme for Government 1989-1993, to remove the death penalty from the statute book; and if he will make a statement on the matter.

43.

asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans for the abolition of the death penalty which has not been used for over 30 years; and whether he considers that it is a deterrent to the type of crime it is still on the statute book to deal with.

I propose to take priority Question No. 49 and Questions Nos. 40 and 43 together.

In accordance with the undertaking in the Joint Programme for Government, it is my intention to seek the approval of the Government to the drafting of a Bill to abolish the death penalty. Deputies will appreciate that with the very heavy legislative programme of the Government it would not be possible for me to give a precise indication as to when that Bill will be introduced.

Everybody will welcome the Minister's initiative but, unfortunately, he cannot give us a date. Would the Minister agree with me when I say that the delay in introducing legislation has held up our signing of the covenants to the UN Declaration on Human Rights which refer to inhuman or degrading punishments? I hope that the legislation will receive the full backing of the House and that it should not take too long to pass through the House. I think he should make an exception in this case and let this legislation be taken ahead of some of the other legislation he is at present considering. He should introduce it as early as possible, perhaps in the next session. I think it would be acceptable for the House to be told that the Minister was going to do this.

I can assure the Deputy and the House that there will be no unnecessary delay in bringing legislation before the Government for decision and introduction into the House, bearing in mind the need to introduce the other legislation I mentioned earlier.