Clare Daly (Dublin North, United Left) | Oireachtas source

The precise point is that we are speaking about people on remand, which means they have not been convicted of any crime. We live in a state where someone is innocent until proven guilty. The statistics compiled by the Children’s Rights Alliance show that last year only 27% of the children who were remanded ended up with a conviction. In other words, if we do not put a limit in place, we could have three out of every four who do not end up being convicted being imprisoned unnecessarily. We must put a ceiling on the maximum period. It is necessary to do so and so doing would focus the mind.

It has been highlighted by the IPRT that children have been remanded for breaches of bail conditions, which would be a substantial component of the children in this category. It makes the point very well that there is no support or supervision given to children who are out on bail and they might not understand the terms. If we addressed the issue and gave the support, then it would potentially reduce the number of children in that category. I do not think three months is too onerous on the courts system in the context of children. It would focus the mind and is absolutely necessary.