Madam, - At a recent meeting in West Dublin on the subject of antisocial behaviour orders, Minister for Justice Michael McDowell was heard to say: "If somebody has a different suggestion, some other workable solution. . .please say it and I'll do it".
A workable alternative to the introduction of Asbos is simple: implement all provisions under the Children's Act 2001 with immediate effect.
If the Minister took the time to examine the provisions set out in the Act, he would see that they have the potential to deal fairly and effectively with children and young people who are a nuisance to their community.
As the Children's Rights Alliance has pointed out in the past, Asbos would be an unnecessary and counter-productive addition to the current framework for dealing with troublesome children and young people.
We need only look to our neighbours in the UK for evidence of the improper nature of Asbos: there, a 15-year-old boy has recently won a High Court ruling to challenge the legality of child curfew zones created by the government on the basis that the curfew violates his rights to liberty under four articles of the European convention on human rights.
Antisocial behaviour can be tackled effectively through the measures available under the Children's Act and through adequate funding for support services in local communities. - Yours, etc,
CIARÁN CUFFE TD, Green Party, Dún Laoghaire, Co Dublin.