A Fianna Fáil MEP has said the Government is determined to enact the law around life sentences "as soon as possible".
Speaking on RTÉ's Fóram programme, Cynthia Ní Mhurchú said the Government accepts life-sentencing legislation in this country needs updating.
However, Sinn Féin TD Conor D McGuinness said that legislative change was initially recommended by the Law Reform Commission (LRC) 12 years ago.
"We are waiting for 12 years, and we haven’t even seen a bill," he said.
The Life Sentences Bill, 2024, when it is published, is expected to closely follow the LRC’s recommendations.
It recommended in 2013 that while life sentences for murder should be retained, judges should have discretion to recommend minimum prison terms before parole is considered.
The General Scheme of the Life Sentences Bill, 2024, was published last year.
However, in a statement to Fóram, the Department of Justice said that a date of enactment of the legislation cannot be predicted at this point.
The Department added that the legislation itself has not yet been drafted.
Minister for Justice Jim O’Callaghan said on Friday that he did not expect the legislation to be passed this year.
The Programme for Government stated that politicians will "enact legislation to establish minimum tariffs for any crime that carries a life sentence" during the term of the 34th Dáil.
Fifteen mandatory life sentences have been imposed on adults for murder in the Central Criminal Court to date this year, according to research.
A further two individuals were convicted of murder, with their sentencing hearing still outstanding.
However, as in all cases of murder, a life term will be imposed in the two outstanding cases.
"There are some accused of murder who really chance their luck on trial, even if there is a very strong case against them", Mr McGuinness said.
He added: "There must be a disincentive to take a case to trial. Our current system encourages taking chances on trials and putting families through a further traumatising experience in court."
Ms Ní Mhurchú and Mr McGuinness agreed that there should be a provision in the bill for 'whole life orders’, such as those imposed in the UK.
A whole life order means someone sentenced to life in prison will never be released, except in exceptional compassionate circumstances, according to the UK government.
"They should be used sparingly but there is a space for them in the bill, as some cases genuinely do warrant such a term," Mr McGuinness said.
The Irish Penal Reform Trust has previously said it is "fully opposed to the introduction of whole life orders".
"They have been found to breach Article 3 of the European Convention on Human Rights which prohibits torture, along with inhumane, or degrading treatment or punishment."
