The Minister will be aware that in 2017, I introduced legislation to provide for an exoneration for men who were convicted of engaging in consensual same-sex sexual activity prior to the decriminalisation of homosexuality in 1993. As he will recall, the first part of that process was the historic State apology issued in both Houses of the Oireachtas in July 2018 for the way in which this State and this society treated their LGBT+ citizens. The second element of that process was the initiation of a process to set aside pre-1993 convictions. There are old men in this country who have criminal records only because of who they are, of who they love and loved, and when. That is plain wrong. Will the Minister update the House, nine years on from the initiation of the original legislation in my name, as to what the status of that proposition is?

I thank the Deputy for the question. I acknowledge his work in this area in respect of the publication by him of the Bill in 2017. His question is opportune. When I came into office, one of the issues I wanted to expedite was "disregard legislation", as it is referred to. The information I got back was that a lengthy process was ongoing in respect of the preparation of a Bill. I am pleased to say I have managed to expedite that process. I will bring forward an amendment, hopefully in March, to the Criminal Law and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which will start in this House tomorrow, that will include amendments in respect of disregard legislation. I am very conscious that these men, and they are predominantly men, have waited a very long time for the exoneration to which they are entitled. I do not want to delay the process any further. I look forward to the Deputy's support and the support of others when that amendment comes in on Committee Stage.