A BILL to radically reform the law relating to children is among the legislation that dies with the dissolution of the 27th Dail. However, it, and other unenacted Bills, can be reintroduced by the next government in a similar or amended form.
The Children Bill, which was introduced by the Minister of State for Justice, Mr Austin Currie, and passed its second stage, was to repeal legislation dating back to 1908 and update the law relating to juvenile justice.
The Garda Siochana Bill, which was introduced by the Minister for Justice, Mrs Owen, following the split in the Garda Representative Association, set out the provisions governing the constitution of a Garda association. A spokeswoman for the Department of Justice said yesterday the Minister had not sought a date for its final stage in the Dail because of hopeful signs that the split would be resolved.
The 17th Amendment of the Constitution Bill, dealing with Cabinet confidentiality, did not get an airing in the Dail chamber, and Government sources have indicated that a referendum on the issue will be held, probably on the same day as the presidential election in November, if the rainbow coalition is returned to office.
The Education Bill, proposing the establishment of 10 new regional education boards, had reached the committee stage. The Road Transport Bill, providing for haulage and passenger operator licences, and the Malicious Injuries (Repeal of Enactments) Bill were awaiting a second stage debate.
The Dail processed several pieces of legislation which the Government was anxious to get enacted before the election was called. These included the Electoral Bill, limiting personal donations to £500 to individual politicians and £4,000 to a political party, and the Hepatitis C Compensation Tribunal Bill, establishing the adhoc tribunal on a statutory basis.
