Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak in favour of the amendment. We had a similar amendment in the Seanad. It is our intention to resubmit the amendment on Report Stage if it is not accepted now. Three months is a very long time in a child’s life. I also believe that children on remand should be kept separate from children who have been convicted if that is in the best interests of the child. People who have not been convicted previously should not be placed with others who have been convicted.