Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026: Report and Final Stages
Dail Éireann — 2026-06-10
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Jim O'Callaghan (FF), Dublin Bay South

Yes. It could be the case that there are no records. The scheme is flexible enough to permit statements.
Another thing the Deputy mentioned was the friend. There is a very broad definition of a "relative", which is contained in the scheme and in section 42. This is going to apply in respect of a deceased person. There are mechanisms whereby it could be considered. The person may have nominated a person who is not a relative to make the application on their behalf after they are deceased. However, legislation necessarily discriminates. You identify a group of people that you want to try to benefit. There may be hard cases at the edges and I will give consideration to that in advance of the Seanad but the primary purpose of the Bill is, I think, sound in regard to the ability of people who are living to make an application and also for persons who are nominated by them to make an application on their behalf, or the "relative" definition. It is a very broad definition of "relative" that includes grand-nephews, grand-nieces and others involved. That is why it is important to make people aware of this scheme. There are people who may not be aware that they have a great-uncle who was convicted and they could bring the application.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-06-10/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-09-28T05:50:47+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-06-10