Labour has called on Taoiseach Enda Kenny to apologise on behalf of the State to gay and lesbian people who were jailed and criminalised in Ireland under “chilling” laws before 1993.

Fiachra Ó Cionnaith of the Irish Examiner writes that senators Ged Nash and Ivana Bacik made the request today as they launched an opposition bill seeking the move in order to “address the historic wrong by the State”.

Until 1993 – just 23 years ago – homosexuality was illegal in Ireland, with roughly 2,000 people brought before the courts under the controversial rules over the first seven decades of Irish independence.

Speaking to reporters outside the Dáil, Labour’s equality spokesperson Mr Nash said the reality is these people have never received a formal apology for what happened.

He added that while Mr Kenny was not responsible for the situation which occurred in the past, he as sitting Taoiseach should apologise on the State’s behalf.

“We’ve come a long way in the last 23 years since homosexuality was decriminalised, but we still have a long way to go.

“What we’re trying to do here is address an historic wrong that was committed through the State.

“Nobody can remove the wrongs, but this is a very important gesture. There are a considerable number of LGBT citizens who haven’t been able to live and love in the climate we have in Ireland today.

“There are probably a couple of thousand, many who are still alive and some who sadly are not,” he said.

Both Mr Nash and senator Ivana Bacik said they are “anxious” to receive all-party backing to the apology plan, which is outlined in the Conviction for Certain Sexual Offences (Apology and Exoneration) Bill 2016.

While admitting they have yet to receive confirmation of formal support for the bill, published this morning, they do not believe any rival party is likely to be opposed to the move.