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

I support this amendment. There was a similar one in the Seanad and I would propose to table it again on Report Stage. Somebody under 18 years of age should be given a chance. I think rehabilitation should work in these circumstances. Children should be assessed according to their age. One often finds that children in these circumstances have special needs or additional needs and may suffer from mental health issues, and I think they should not be just thrown in prison for up to three years.