Overprotective parents 'robbing us of risk-takers'

A leading academic, Dr Roger Downer, has said that Irish parents are too protective of their children and, as a result, may deprive the country of the type of risk-takers needed in the business world.

Dr Downer, who is President of the University of Limerick, said that children here are not given the freedom and responsibility to make their own decisions.

He said it could have a significant negative impact on business in 20 years' time.