Parliamentary Question: Sex Offenders

22nd March 2001

129. Mr. Ellis asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the list of convicted sex offenders is circulated to each Garda station in the country. [8461/01]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue): The Sex Offenders Bill, 2000, at present before this House, provides for a register of sex offenders. In practice, sex offenders will be obliged to notify their names and addresses to the Garda Síochána within a specified time of their conviction or release from serving a custodial sentence, whichever is applicable in a particular case. Any changes to those names and addresses will have to be similarly notified. Provision is made in the Bill for notification by post or in person at any Garda station which is a divisional or district headquarters. As soon as the Bill is enacted and the notification system commences, its operation will be a matter for the Garda Síochána.