GARDAI could abuse new powers to deal with delinquent children, say bodies set up by the Catholic bishops.
In allowing gardai to decide whether a child offender should be admitted to a diversion programme (an alternative to prosecution) the Children's Bill "fails to provide commensurate safeguards to match these powers which as now worded give grounds for fears of potential abuse", say the Irish Commissions for Justice and Peace and the Council for Social Welfare.
A solicitor's presence should be mandatory when gardai question a child even if the child does not request one, they say. Greater human rights safeguards should be built into the Bill, they told the Oireachtas Committee on Legislation and Security.