Taoiseach seeks public's help in making laws ‘user-friendly’
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern today announced a two-month long public consultation process on the programme to restate existing legislation.
The Statute Law Restatement Programme aims to make legislation more user-friendly and accessible by updating existing acts to incorporate all changes made by subsequent acts or statutory instruments. Restatements do not alter the effect of the law in any way.
Speaking at today’s Public Affairs Ireland conference in Dublin, the Taoiseach said that this process of consultation would be central in selecting which laws should be considered first for restatement.
"Government needs to be alert to our changing environment, and that often means updating existing legislation," said Ahern.
"Of course, many of our laws have been amended and revised since they came into force, and the Government will need to decide which laws the greatest impact on citizens and business and, so should be approved for restatement first.
"Before we make that decision, we are looking for the views of the public, legal practitioners and any other interested party as to which laws they consider are most suitable for restatement."
Over the coming days, advertisements will appear in the main national newspapers giving details on how any interested individuals or organisations can get more information on the process of restatement, and on how to submit their observations.
The Law Reform Commission will conduct the Statute Law Restatement Project, under the guidance of a steering group comprising of representatives of the Department of the Taoiseach, the Office of the Attorney General, the Law Reform Commission and other Government departments.
