Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank Members for their contributions and, for the most part, broad support for the proposed changes. I thank them for their assistance in bringing it forward. I will touch on the Bill itself and then, if the Chair allows some latitude, I will respond to other issues raised. The Bill is clear; we need to make sure there is equity. Nobody is disputing the fact that murder is the most serious crime, irrespective of who commits it. If it is committed by a child who then happens to age out by the time of sentencing, there has to be equity. At the moment, that does not exist, as clearly set out by the High Court judgment. This Bill will amend that and make sure that equity exists.

On the Deputy's proposed amendment, I commit to engaging with colleagues and the team on that matter. My understanding is that while the Children Act 2001 includes statutory sentences for certain crimes, there is no specific sentence for a murder committed by a child.

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