Labour accuse Govt of abandoning children's rights

The Labour Party has accused the Government of abandoning the rights of children.

The Fianna Fail-Progressive Democrats Coalition introduced legislation establishing a Children's Ombudsman before last year's General Election.

Labour spokesperson Kathleen O'Meara said today that the Government never followed the matter up.

The Ombudsman would provide an outlet for children to lodge complaints if they felt their rights were being denied.

Ms O'Meara said she suspected the appointment of such an Ombudsman was being blocked by the Department of Finance.