The Minister for Justice, Helen McEntee TD, has today launched a public consultation that will hopefully lead to a scheme to “disregard” historic convictions related to consensual sexual activity between men.
Affected persons and representative organisations are being asked to take part in a survey on a number of key issues, based on their lived experience. Their responses will inform the final recommendations of a Working Group who are examining the development of a scheme of disregard convictions for consensual sexual activity between men prior to decriminalisation in 1993.
Minister McEntee said: “We want to ensure that any potential scheme is as effective and accessible as possible so that we can exonerate those impacted by these outdated laws and address some of the lingering harms of the past.
“I would encourage any of the affected men, their families, loved ones and the wider LGBTQ+ community to engage with this consultation so that we can be mindful of their unique perspectives as we move forward.”
The survey will ask how a potential scheme could be made more accessible, how to encourage participation in the scheme and how to minimise potential for re-traumatising applicants, amongst other issues.
“The damage that was caused by these laws continues to impact negatively on too many people’s lives” Minister McEntee added. “While we cannot undo the hurt inflicted on people who were discriminated against for simply being themselves, we can contribute to the healing process.
You can take part in the the online survey HERE The deadline for completion of the survey is 5pm on Friday 9 December 2022.
Nash welcomes public consultation: “Process began with Labour’s 2016 Conviction for Certain Offences (Apology & Exoneration) Bill.”
Local Labour TD Ged Nash welcomed Minister McEntee’s announcement and noted that the process began with Labour’s 2016 Conviction for Certain Offences (Apology & Exoneration) Bill
“Today we are an important step closer to helping right some of the wrongs the State visited on LGBT+ citizens both before and after independence” he said, adding that the first element of the process was the historic 2018 State apology to LGBT+ citizens and community for the harm caused by Ireland’s laws and the discrimination and injustice visited upon individuals and the LGBT+ community more broadly.
“The second aspect of Labour’s Bill was to establish an appropriate scheme that would provide for the setting aside of historic convictions carried by some gay and bisexual men and the full exoneration of adult men who were criminalised for who they are and who they love.
“For much of our history, Ireland was a cold and harsh place for the LGBTI+ community and citizens. We have made progress but events earlier this week shows we still have some distance to travel.
“Part of that journey involves coming to terms with our past and having a reckoning with it.
“With this public consultation process on a proposed disregards scheme, we are an important step closer to making peace with those men whose only ‘crime’ was their sexual orientation.
“I want to thank Minister McEntee and her officials, her predecessor Charlie Flanagan and the members of the Working Group for their ongoing commitment to this process.
“I would urge as many affected people as possible to engage in the process so an appropriate and sensitive disregard scheme, informed by best practice and imbued with the principles of human rights can ultimately be delivered.”
