Spent Convictions Bill back on the legislative agenda!

6th April 2011

IPRT welcomes the inclusion of the Spent Convictions Bill among the list of twenty urgent Bills to be published by the Government by the end of the Summer Session (July 21st, 2011.)

IPRT, the Law Reform Commission, the Irish Human Rights Commission and the Law Society of Ireland (Spent Convictions Group) have long advocated that such 'second-chance' legislation should be available in Ireland.

Currently, Ireland is one of the only countries in the EU, and indeed the Council of Europe area, that does not have any legislative provision for convictions to be considered 'spent' after a period of time offence free.

IPRT also welcomes the inclusion of other proposed bills, to be introduced in 2012 or after, including:

• UN Optional Protocol to the Convention against Torture and other Cruel, Inhuman or Degrading Treatment or Punishment (OPCAT) Bill
• Criminal Justice (Fines Act 2010) (Amendment) Bill

For more details, please follow the links below.

Read more:

• The Irish Times: 'Government bills: planned legislation'
• Government of Ireland: Summer Legislative Programme (2011)
• IPRT Briefing on Spent Convictions
• IPRT Position Paper on Spent Convictions