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The Minister for Justice and Equality, Frances FitzGerald T.D. has announced the commencement of two pieces of legislation:
- The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures) Act 2016; and
- The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012.
The Minister in commencing the two pieces for legislation said “The Spent Convictions and Certain Disclosures Act 2016 is an important milestone in the rehabilitation of offenders in Ireland. This legislation brings Ireland into line with most other EU Member States in providing that people convicted of relatively minor offences can eventually leave their past behind them and get on with their lives. The Bill should be of particular benefit to ex-offenders, who often find their path to employment blocked, once they admit to a previous offence. Society’s interests and those of the offender who mends his or her ways can coincide. It is in everyone’s interest that offenders who have paid their debt to society and want to leave crime behind are encouraged to do so. Insofar as this legislation can help, then it is to be welcomed by all." In respect of the The National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012 the Minister also stated "I am also very pleased to announce the commencement of the National Vetting Bureau (Children and Vulnerable Persons) Act 2012. This Act is an important part of the Government’s suite of legislation to ensure that we have appropriate legal protections for children or vulnerable persons. The Act will ensure that relevant criminal convictions or other information which gives rise to concerns regarding a person working with or seeking to work with children is disclosed in the appropriate manner."
A copy of the Department of Justice and Equality’s press release can be accessed here.
For further information on the implications of these two pieces of legislation for public and regulatory bodies, please contact Barry Fagan or Aideen Ryan.