Criminal justice and records legislation
Deputy Durkan asks about corruption-law consolidation and legislation allowing criminal-record information to be exchanged with other states. Minister Burton says pre-legislative scrutiny is pending for the first Bill and the second is expected in April.
To assuage the fears of some Members of the Opposition, it might be helpful to bring in the criminal justice corruption Bill to consolidate and reform all the legislation currently cited as the Prevention of Corruption Acts 1889 to 2010. That should cover the period in question to which the Opposition has been referring. Have the heads of that Bill been approved in Cabinet? When will it be brought before the House?
I also ask about the legislation to provide for the exchange of criminal records information with other EU member states and other designated states. It is the criminal records information systems Bill, which should be very interesting. I am sure all Members of the Opposition will take particular interest in that.
Comment on this
In order to assuage the fears and worries of the Opposition, is it intended to bring that Bill to the House as a matter of urgency?
Comment on this
The heads of the criminal justice corruption Bill were dealt with in July 2012. The pre-legislative committee meetings will take place, but we do not have a date as yet.
I understand that the second Bill should come in April.