LAWS THAT PROHIBIT drunkenness, swearing and profaning on Sundays are among a group of antiquated laws that could be repealed.

The Department of Public Expenditure and Reform is looking to revoke around 4,500 pre-independence government regulations. This is the largest repealing measure ever undertaken by the state.

A public consultation on the move was launched yesterday.

The laws listed for removal include:

• Declarations of war against Denmark in 1666 and against France in 1744,
• A proclamation of 1817 reserving oatmeal and potatoes for consumption by the “lower orders of people”
• A proclamation of 1690 prohibiting officers and soldiers from engaging in duels
• A proclamation of 1661 prohibiting drunkenness, cursing, swearing and profaning on the Lords’ Day
• A proclamation of 1668 offering a pardon and reward for taking dead or alive named rebels who fail to surrender by a designated date,
• An order of 1815 providing that a prayer of thanksgiving be offered for the victory at the Battle of Waterloo,
• A proclamation of 1665 appointing the first Wednesday of every month as a day of fasting & humiliation on account of the bubonic plague in London.

In addition, a number of instruments imposing restrictions on Catholics are listed for revocation, for example, a Proclamation of 1679 promising a reward for the apprehension of “any Popish Dignitary or Jesuit” and an Order of the same date “for the suppression of mass-houses”.

The purpose of the current review, which has been carried out by the Statute Law Revision Programme within the Department, is to enable the preparation of a Statute Law Revision Bill later this year to revoke those instruments that are obsolete and to list and retain those that remain relevant to our law.

If you have any views on the revoking of the laws, you can email slrp@per.gov.ie before 15 October.

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