4. Deputy Mark Ward asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration for an update on the criminal justice disregard of certain convictions related to consensual sexual activity Bill; when it will be completed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [36639/25]

Sentiment score: 0.18

While most of the world celebrated Pride last week and this week, in Ireland there are still men who have criminal convictions for just being gay before 1993. Can I have an update on the Disregard of Historic Offences for Consensual Sexual Activity Between Men Bill 2025? When will it be completed and when will these men have their criminal convictions quashed?

Sentiment score: -0.22

I thank the Minister. It is hard to believe that only 32 years ago it was illegal to be gay in Ireland. In 1993, when the law was changed, I was only 18. I was not aware of this rule when I was 18 but you can bet your life if I had been a young gay man, I would have been. Gay men at the time would have been driven underground. They suffered trauma and abuse. Ireland has come a long way since 1993, mostly for the better. It is hard to believe that being gay was a crime until 1993. It is still hard to believe that there are men who have convictions for being gay prior to 1993. The last record I have is that between 1983 and 1993, there were 64 convictions. Most of these men are probably still alive at this stage. I am aware that the Minister has competing interests. I am on the justice committee so I know how busy we are. However, this is a chance to do the right thing. I welcome the Minister's comments on bringing provisions forward through a miscellaneous provisions Bill. Would these provisions quash individual convictions or what way would it work?

Sentiment score: 0.03

I welcome the Minister's comments on the Bill that was introduced this week by Deputy Ó Snodaigh and several other Opposition Deputies, the Disregard of Historic Offences for Consensual Sexual Activity Between Men Bill 2025. The timing was to coincide with Pride last week and this week. We still have people around the world who are subjected to tyranny and abuse just for being gay. In its essence, this Bill aims to eradicate the historic criminal convictions imposed for the offences of consensual sexual activity between men prior to 1993. The Bill was drafted by campaigners and a lot of work was put into it. A lot of campaigning and research went into the Bill. As the Minister acknowledged, the statistics show that between 1983 and 1993 there were 64 convictions for being gay and there is a good chance that these men are still alive. I welcome that the Minister is agnostic, as he said, about whether to progress his Bill or the Opposition Bill. What does he think would be the speedier process? Has he given that any consideration? Would he support the progression of the Opposition Bill that was introduced this week?

Sentiment score: 0.06

That is a crime.

Sentiment score: -0.54

Absolutely.

Sentiment score: 0.00