The Commission's Programmes of Law Reform are the principal basis on which the Commission carries out its statutory mandate to keep the law under review with a view to its reform. The Commission has since its inception had three Programmes of Law Reform, all of which must be passed by both houses of the Oireachtas and the Government.
Third Programme of Law Reform
The Commission is currently working on its Third Programme of Law Reform which runs from 2008-2014. There are 37 Projects in the Third Programme of Law Reform, so the Commission may only examine a certain number at any time. For information on projects the Commission is currently working on please see our Current Projects page.
First and Second Law Reform Programmes
In the 1980s and 1990s, the Commission's work has included recommending the removal of the concept of illegitimacy from our law; and recommending reform of our criminal law, including the need for confiscating the proceeds of crime.
In the last decade, the Commission has also responded to changes in Irish society by recommending reform of the law on cohabitants (same sex and opposite sex couples) and the law regulating apartment complex management companies. The Commission also recommended the development of a limited DNA Database.