Anger as child protection referendum in doubt

CHILD welfare groups have reacted angrily to news that a referendum on the protection of children may not go ahead as promised by the Government.

Fianna Fáil members of the Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection, established to draw up the exact wording of the referendum, have received legal advice that the issue of the age of sexual consent can be dealt with by passing legislation through the Dáil and Seanad. This would mean that a referendum would not be needed to close the loophole identified in the wake of the Mr C case.

Barnardos — the support group for vulnerable children — has questioned the political will to solve the issue.