Spent convictions and official languages Bills
The Minister says amendments to the spent-convictions legislation are being drafted after a court judgment and that it may return this session; the status of an official languages Bill is also queried.
Although the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 has been before the Dáil for an age, it has disappeared from the list. When will this very important Bill be reintroduced? It is unfair that spent convictions last a lifetime. Tá Bille na dteangacha oifigiúla ar an liosta A. There is a proposal on the A list to bring in an official languages amendment Bill. I want a very simple answer and I will hold the Minister to it. Will it be introduced this session as an A list Bill, yes or no? We need to find out whether or not these A lists mean anything.
It is of great concern in Galway that, because of possible damage to an acre or two of habitat, there is a proposal to demolish more than 100 houses. Does the Government intend to work with the European Union to bring proportionality between people's homes and communities and the habitats directive, or is a small amount of habitat more important than more than 100 homes in Galway? It is important that we get clarification on whether the Minister is looking to bring some balance in view of the judgment of the European Court of Justice.
Comment on this
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 is on the D list and has passed all Stages in the Seanad and Committee Stage in the Dáil. Before the Bill could be taken, there was a UK Court of Appeal judgment which necessitated a review of the disclosure provisions contemplated. This review has been completed and consequential amendments to the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Bill 2012 and the Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012 are being drafted. There is a reasonable expectation that it will be brought forward during this session.
The official languages Bill has been through pre-legislative scrutiny. Work is being carried out across Government to establish a definitive list of the bodies that are to be covered. Once this work has been done, the Bill will be brought forward. It is contingent on how quickly the work can be completed and we hope it will be done during this session.