Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

At no time in the course of her response to the arguments I offered in support of my amendment did the Minister refer to detention orders or special detention placements. Rather, she referred to special placement orders and children placed in care. It was only at the very end that she utilised the term "detention". We must recognise that language is hugely important. Children can be made the subject of special placement orders and special care provision at the direction of the agencies of the State. However, the word "detention", where it is used in phrases such as "detention orders" and "places of detention", immediately suggests wrongdoing on the part of those who are being detained.

The word "detention" is offensive in the context of the cohort of young people whose interests we are addressing.

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