Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 4 Feb 1999

Vol. 499 No. 5

Written Answers. - Children Bill.

Róisín Shortall

Question:

60 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will report on progress within his Department on finalising amendments to the Children Bill, 1996, which has been awaiting Committee Stage consideration for two years; the outstanding matters, if any, there are to be resolved; when the amendments will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3024/99]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

The Minister of State in my Department, Deputy Fahey, undertook a fundamental examination of the Children Bill, 1996 on being given responsibility for it in February 1998. That examination included an appraisal of juvenile justice systems in other countries and of developments and advances in the juvenile justice area since the Bill was originally published.

Work on the amendments which will reflect the outcome of the examination is now almost complete. It is clear that there will be a very large number of Government amendments and consideration is being given to the most effective and efficient way of incorporating these amendments into the text.