Can the Minister say whether or not the new Children Bill will increase the age of criminal responsibility, which is now at the appallingly low level of seven years? The fact that children in Ireland have no rights, that the rights of their parents take precedence, is a disgrace. I hope it will become a top priority of Government and that, as Deputy Shatter said, we shall have the Bill in the House before the Easter recess.

I can assure the Deputy that the Bill will encompass the raising of the age of criminal responsibility. I have proposals to put before the Government in that regard.