Vol. 502 No. 1
69 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has in relation to juvenile justice legislation; the reason for the delay in finalising these proposals; the time-scale in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7226/99]
99 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when the Juvenile Justice Bill will be circulated; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7220/99]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 69 and 99 together.
The Minister of State in my Department, Deputy Fahey, undertook a fundamental examination of the Children Bill, 1996, which deals primarily with juvenile justice matters 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.
The examination of the Bill has entailed extensive discussions with the other Departments and bodies which will be most affected by many of the changes being considered. Work on the amendments which will reflect the outcome of the examination is now almost complete. Given the large number of changes, consideration will have to be given as to whether it will be possible to progress the Bill by way of introducing a very large number of amendments or whether it will be necessary to introduce a new Bill.
