asked the Minister for Justice if, further to his assurance of 16th December, 1969, that he would consult with the Minister for Education about raising from seven years the lower age limit at which a child may be charged under law with the commission of crime, he will make a statement on the matter.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Charging of Children.
66.
This matter was one of those examined by the Committee of Inquiry into Reformatory and Industrial Schools, which were appointed by the Government in 1967. The committee submitted their report in April, 1970, to the Minister for Education, who will, no doubt, let me have his views in due course on the particular question raised by the Deputy.
It is clearly an unsatisfactory position that a decision has not been made on a report received in 1967 — it is now 1970. It is not a matter of such fantastic proportions that a decision could not be taken. Will the Minister expedite it?
The Deputy is incorrect in saying the report was received in 1967. The committee were set up in 1967. They submitted a report to my colleague, the Minister for Education, in 1970. Until the report is published and the Minister for Education conveys his views to me on this point, I cannot make any decision on it.