The immediate publication of the Juvenile Justice/Children's Bill has been called for by the Fianna Fail chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern. He made the request in the wake of reports in The Irish Times about the possible involvement of teenagers in prostitution in Dundalk.
In the absence of new legislation, State authorities cannot detain "at risk" children against their wishes if they have not committed offences, he said. He also called for the provision of rehabilitation places for the children.