Law Society of Ireland

Lobbying Organisation Law Society of Ireland

Date published 20 Jan, 2017

Relevant Matter Legislation

Public Policy Area Justice and Equality

Period 1 Sep, 2016 to 31 Dec, 2016

Specific Details Reform of the administration of religious oaths; support for a universal affirmation.

Intended results The Society recommended to Government to fulfill the 1990 Law Reform Recommendations on the Oaths and Affirmations.

Name of person primarily responsible for lobbying on this activity Ken Murphy, Director General

Did any Designated Public Official(DPO) or former Designated Public Official(DPO) carry out lobbying activities on your behalf in relation to this return? You must include yourself, and answer Yes, if you are a current DPO or a DPO at any time in the past. (What is a Designated Public Official?) No

Did you manage or direct a grassroots campaign? No

Was this lobbying done on behalf of a client? No

Lobbying activity

The following activities occurred for this specific Subject Matter Area.

Submission (1)

In 1990, the Law Reform Commission recommended in its Report on Oaths and Affirmations, that the statutory requirement of religious oaths in judicial proceedings be replaced by a solemn affirmation. The Law Society is seeking to advance those recommendations. The submission summarised the background and issues involved and, in particular on how the current framework impacts on issues of Constitutional justice, fair procedures and the effective administration of justice. The issue must also be viewed through the prism of the European Convention on Human Rights. The Society is in favour of a universal affirmation, which reflects the diversity of our members' clients but also for practical purposes. Link to LRC Report: http://www.lawreform.ie/_fileupload/Reports/rOaths.htm

Designated public officials lobbied

The following DPOs were lobbied during this return period on this specific Subject Matter Area. These DPOs were involved in at least one of the Lobbying Activities listed above, but not necessarily all of them. As returns are specific to a Subject Matter Area the above Lobbying Activities may be associated with multiple returns.

Frances Fitzgerald Minister (Department of Justice and Equality)