Ms Claire McEvoy:

By raising the age of criminal responsibility, we are not suggesting that offenders should not be held accountable. That needs to be clear. They can be held accountable, but by using a different mechanism. There can still be a police investigation. They can go through the special care system, there can be detention under the Mental Health Act if that is appropriate, and there are the Garda diversion programme and youth services. The focus is on rehabilitation. The focus is on a future for these young offenders, knowing there is tremendous potential for them to change their ways. That has been established and has been accepted by the Supreme Court. It is a question of changing the focus towards rehabilitation and away from punishment.