asked the Minister for Justice if his attention lias been drawn to the recent case in which children of tender years were ordered by a district justice to be birched in the presence of their parents; and if he has considered the question of remitting this punishment.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birching of Children.
I have seen copies of the Orders made in these cases and also a Gárda report and a note which the justice has been good enough to submit for my information.
The Orders authorise the parents to be present, if they wish. This is a statutory requirement. The Orders contain also a direction that the whippings shall be carried out in the presence of an inspector of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children. This is not a statutory requirement and I understand that it cannot be enforced except with the agreement of the society, which is not forthcoming. In these circumstances, I am advised that there are serious doubts as to whether the Orders can be enforced at all, and I have remitted the penalties.
In view of certain incorrect reports, I may add, in fairness to the justice, that he did not order any of these boys to be whipped twice for the same offence and also that, before imposing the sentences of whipping, he carefully considered the possibility of dealing with these cases by way of probation or by way of committal to an institution.
Will the Minister take steps with regard to the appointment of full-time probation officers in the country who will take care of such cases as this?
That is a separate question.
Perhaps the Minister will send them ice cream and cakes?
The Justice gets all that.
Will the Minister take steps to have this barbarous and British Act of 1874, under which the penalty was imposed, repealed at an early date?
That is also a separate question.