An Leas-Chathaoirleach:

I have never been shy speaking about my own experience growing up. As a child I was stopped and searched many times on the walk to the shop. Just because there were more than two or three of us together, we were assumed to be a gang. It is only in working class communities that you are called a "gang of youths". In any other community, you are called a "group of youths". The stigmatisation is well and truly built into how policing happens. The stop and search is a really important issue for us to grapple with over the next few weeks as we get into the crux of the committee.

I want to ask two questions. The first is a simple "yes" or "no" question. Everyone or the most appropriate people can answer this if they feel they would like to answer. Some quarters of the Department, Government, the DPU, etc., are waving this idea that what they are currently doing is what the citizens' assembly has recommended in regard to recommendation 17. I refer to what is de facto the criminalisation in terms of the adult caution scheme. When the Government and particular State bodies say that what the citizens' assembly said is already set in motion, would the witnesses agree with that sentiment?