Taoiseach Announces Major Bill To Overhaul Obsolete Laws

This Bill is the fourth major piece of statute law reform legislation and in tandem with the Statute Law Revision Act 2007 constitutes one of the most extensive statute law revision programs ever attempted anywhere in the world.

The Bill will repeal all obsolete Local and Personal Acts passed prior to 1850 and all obsolete Private Acts passed prior to 1750, and will leave in force only a limited list of such Acts which are still relevant today.  Private Acts are those which deal with the affairs of a single individual or body, and Local and Personal Acts deal with matters affecting a very limited section of the community such as a single local authority or company.

Examples of the Acts to be repealed include the last of the penal laws, such as legislation prohibiting Catholics from owning certain lands or holding certain positions.  An Act of 1714 which enabled the Prince of Wales to qualify himself for the legal enjoyment of the office of Chancellor of the University of Dublin will also be repealed. Also of interest is a Private Act of 1726 which provided for the naturalisation of George Frederick Handel and others.

This Bill will dovetail with the Statute Law Revision Acts of 2005 and 2007 which, combined provided for the repeal of almost 3,500 obsolete Public General Acts.

This Bill is a major step in a process to revise the overall Statute Book.  It will set out a list of the Acts specifically repealed, and will also retain in force a specified list of Acts which are of continuing relevance.