Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

I will not belabour the point because I have already made my arguments in support of the amendment. A few months ago I reminded the Minister that this is the Child Care (Amendment) Bill 2009. It was presented to the House by the then Minister for Health and Children and the Report Stage debate is being taken by the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs. The legislation was not prepared and presented by the Minister for Justice and Equality.

The Bill relates to children and the word "detention" is simply and absolutely obsolete in the context of child care provision. The word "detention" belongs to legislation prepared by the Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Deputy Shatter, and his departmental officials. It is my strong opinion that it has no place in language relating to legislation overseen by the newly-established Department of Children and Youth Affairs. I again urge colleagues to support this amendment and appeal to the Minister to accede to the collective weight of the Opposition voices.

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