9th June 2026
Government’s Disregard Scheme legislation major milestone, but still significant gaps.
The Minister for Justice has published legislation that will provide for a Disregard Scheme for men persecuted under Ireland’s former anti-gay laws. The Scheme being introduced through amendments to the Criminal Law, Civil Law and Defence (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill 2026 will be debated in the Dáil on Wednesday evening, 10th June.
“We strongly welcome the publication of the Government’s legislation for the Disregard Scheme. It is a major milestone in the long journey towards justice for those gay men who were persecuted under legislation now recognised as gross violations of their human rights and dignity” said Kieran Rose of the LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign.
The proposed Scheme, administered by an Independent Person, will apply to men prosecuted and convicted for consensual sexual activity under the anti-gay laws repealed thirty-three years ago. It will cover juveniles, including some sentenced to industrial schools, as well as men arrested, questioned or charged, acknowledging the profound harms done to all those who fell afoul of the laws. The legislation also recognises discriminatory policing practices that targeted gay men.
“Many men emigrated rather than risk imprisonment for ordinary loving relationships. We welcome the commitment to public information campaigns outside of the State to reach Irish LGBTI+ people abroad. However, the proposed 24-month application period will not be sufficient to reach, engage with and encourage those affected to apply for disregards”, said Karl Hayden, LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign.
“There are however several significant omissions. The Disregard Scheme will not apply to everyone who suffered these historical injustices as it does not include men convicted under corresponding Military legislation as recommended by the Working Group. Convictions under the same anti-gay laws prior to the establishment of the State are not included, and there are limited provisions for non-related people, including friends, to apply for disregards to clear the records of deceased men”, said Rose.
“Given that the legislation has just been published, further scrutiny is needed and we hope that the Minister will rectify these omissions as the legislation progresses through the Seanad”, said Rose.
“Thousands of men have lived with the burden of these convictions throughout their lives, affecting relationships, employment and travel. This Scheme offers the opportunity to remove the legal scars of criminalisation, and provide some measure of redress for the terrible wrong done to them by the State”, said Brian Sheehan also of the LGBT Restorative Justice Campaign.
“The anti-gay laws helped entrench stigma, discrimination, silence and shame towards LGBTI+ people. This legislation is an important step in addressing that legacy and sends a strong message from the State at a time of increasing anti-LGBTI+ rhetoric and harassment” concluded Sheehan.
Disregard Legislation has all-party support. The legislation being introduced by the Minister for Justice, Jim O’Callaghan TD, follows on from a private members Bill from Aengus O’Snodaigh TD, supported by opposition parties, which was debated in the Dail in April and accepted by the Minster. It is part of a redress approach that began with a State apology delivered in 2018 as a result of a private members Bill by Ged Nash TD which was unanimously supported within the Oireachtas.
ENDS
EDITORS NOTES
A Private Members Bill on Disregards was debated in the Dáil in April 2026.
The Final Report and Recommendations of the Working Group on Disregards, published in 2023, is the basis for the proposed Disregard Scheme.
LGBT Disregard 