IRELAND
Irish Examiner
By Harry McGee Political Editor
THE Green Party yesterday called for proper vetting systems and a register for people unsafe to work with children be established as a matter of urgency.
As the political fallout of the Ferns Report continued, Green Party leader Trevor Sargent identified shortfalls in legal protection for children in Ireland.
Fine Gael spokeswoman on Education Olwyn Enright called for the introduction of better child safety procedures in schools.
Her Labour Party counterpart Jan O’Sullivan also called for a more proactive approach to the prevention and detection of child sexual abuse: The introduction of a comprehensive anti-bullying programme and additional supports and training for teachers are urgently required.
Sinn Fein Dáil leader Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin argued it was “long past the time to enshrine the rights of children as individuals in to the Constitution”.
“It is time we dealt with the issue of child abuse in a coherent, strategic and honest manner, so as to limit if not eliminate the risks posed to vulnerable children in our society,” he said.