Aidan Farrelly (Kildare North, Social Democrats)

This week the Government supported calls for the implementation of curfews on children and young people, for fines for parents and for a mini criminal assets bureau to be established to confiscate PlayStations, Xboxes and mobile phones. It was in a motion in the name of Deputy Gogarty. The Government allowed it through with no amendment. Tonight, RTÉ has a “Prime Time” show about antisocial behaviour which seems to continue to conflate such behaviour with criminal activity.

Will the Minister confirm categorically that the Government has no intention of implementing curfews for children and young people or of introducing a mini criminal assets bureau for children and young people? Will he acknowledge the root cause of antisocial behaviour and outline the services available if and when children and young people become engaged in criminal activity?

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