The Commission is an independent body established under the Law Reform Commission Act 1975.  Our purpose is to keep the law under review and to make recommendations for law reform, so that the law reflects the changing needs of Irish society. 

 

Programmes of Law Reform and Attorney General Requests

The Commission's law reform research work arises form two main sources: first, under a Programme of Law Reform prepared by the Commission and agreed by Government and laid before the Houses of the Oireachtas under the 1975 Act; and second, in accordance with a request from the Attorney General under the 1975 Act.

The Commission's First Programme of Law Reform was in place between 1977 and 1999, and the Commission published over 60 documents (Consultation Papers and Reports) during that time. The Second Programme of Law Reform 2000-2007 also led to the publication of over 60 documents (Consultation Papers and Reports) during its eight year time frame. The Commission's current Third Programme of Law Reform 2008-2014 was approved by Government in December 2007.

Under the 1975 Act, the Attorney General may also request the Commission to examine specific areas of law in addition to those in a Programme of Law Reform.

Statute Law Restatement and Legislation Directory

In 2006, the scope of the Commission's research work was expanded to include Statute Law Restatement and the Legislation Directory.  Statute Law Restatement is a process of making legislation more accessible by updating existing Acts to incorporate all changes made by subsequent Acts or Statutory Instruments into  a single text, which is certified by the Attorney General.  The Legislation Directory is an index listing in chronological order all amendments to legislation made by Acts and Statutory Instruments which have been enacted since 1922.