Code of practice to ban marketing provocative clothes to children

A new code of practice is on the way to ensure retailers do not market provocative clothing at young children.

Penny's, Marks and Spencer and Tesco are among the shops expected to instigate bans on the sale of items such as padded bras and clothes with suggestive slogans.

Last month the Children's Minister Frances Fitzgerald called for retailers to act responsibly when it came to protecting young children.

"For our part, the members of Retail Ireland are responsible retailers there's a lot of good practice already there," said Stephen Lynam from Retail Ireland.

"We've decided to begin an initiative where the best practice of responsible retailers in the area of children's clothing are drawn up to ensure parents, children, consumers and retailers are all on the same page and the Minister's aims of protecting children and protecting childhood are met."