New all-party body to protect children's rights

A new all-party Oireachtas body to ensure children are protected in the Constitution will be set up in coming months, the Government said today.

The committee, which is promised in the Programme for Government, will include 11 TDs and four Senators.

Minister for Children Brendan Smith is spearheading the establishment of the body, which will sit in Leinster House.

The committee will continue the progress made by a similar Joint Oireachtas Committee on Child Protection chaired by Fianna Fáil TD Peter Power before the General Election.

The body was set up after a loophole in the law allowed a sex offender to walk free in 2006 because he claimed he believed his victim was over the age of 15.

The High Court decision raised the possibility of other attackers being freed from prisons until it was overturned by the Supreme Court.

The new committee is expected to be established in early 2008 after the Government consults with Opposition parties.