Effective, meaningful legislation is required

The planned introduction of laws to give force to guidelines for schools on enrolment should be a welcome measure.

In light of the insensitive response of St Joseph’s College in Borrisoleigh, Co Tipperary, to the application of a pregnant teen, and again when she had become a teenage mother, it is important that such situations are far less likely to be repeated.

But the detail of any such law will be vitally important given that there is already 1998 legislation which is supposed to ensure equal treatment for all young people trying to access their right to an education.