Minister for Justice Alan Shatter will today publish legislation allowing for the removal of certain criminal convictions after a number of years.
The Criminal Justice (Spent Convictions) Bill 2012, was approved by Government on Tuesday.
It provides for certain convictions to become spent after an individual remains conviction-free for between three and seven years, depending on the sentence originally imposed by the courts.
Custodial sentences of one year or less as well as a range of non-custodial sentences are covered by the Bill.
Mr Shatter said the Bill was a "significant milestone in the rehabilitation of offenders in Ireland".
“This legislation brings Ireland into line with most other EU member states in providing that people convicted of offences can eventually leave their past behind them and get on with their lives. The Bill should be of particular benefit to ex-offenders, who often find their path to employment blocked, once they admit to a previous offence," he added.
“I believe that society’s interests and those of the offender who mends his or her ways can coincide. It is in everyone’s interest that offenders who have paid their debt to society and want to leave crime behind are encouraged to do so. Insofar as this legislation can help, then it is to be welcomed by all.”
Mr Shatter said he hoped to have the Bill enacted without delay and that he looked forward to "a constructive debate" on its provisions in the Oireachtas.