PRESSURE mounted on Tánaiste Brian Cowen yesterday to bring forward the proposed referendum on children’s rights.

COMPLEX issues require thorough analysis, sensitivity and clarity. The Joint Committee on Child Protection produced a carefully balanced report with over 60 recommendations based on 52 submissions, 33 items of correspondence, public and private sessions with legal, justice and medical experts and a comprehensive consultation process with young people.

THE deadline for public submissions to the newly formed Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection has been extended following complaints that too little time was allowed for people to get their views on paper.