Minister for Justice Jim O'Callaghan has told the Dáil he will be bringing forward legislation this term to clear convictions for consensual same sex activity, before it was decriminalised in 1993.
He will be tabling an amendment to the Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) which begins its legislative journey when it "comes before the House tomorrow".
The amendment would be tabled "hopefully sometime in March," he said.
Upon assuming office the minister had been told that addressing "disregard legislation" would be "a lengthy process" but added that he was able to "expedite it".
The minister said that he is conscious that "these men... have waited a very long time" for justice.
He was responding to Labour TD Ged Nash who asked for an update on his Convictions for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology & Exoneration) Bill, which he submitted in 2016.
"There are old men now in this country who have criminal records only because of who they are," Deputy Nash said, and he appealed for the minister to set aside pre-1993 convictions.
The minister said he looked forward to cooperating with Deputy Nash on the matter.
