Give legal force to child protection proposals

COMPLEX issues require thorough analysis, sensitivity and clarity. The Joint Committee on Child Protection produced a carefully balanced report with over 60 recommendations based on 52 submissions, 33 items of correspondence, public and private sessions with legal, justice and medical experts and a comprehensive consultation process with young people.

Are we now returning to the dark days when one statement from the bishops has the Taoiseach reaching for the back pedals?

This report, if implemented, will significantly improve the level of protection available to young people, treat young men and women as equals under the law, remove the defence of honest mistake as to the age of a child under 16, effectively raise the age of consent from 17 to 18 where the sexual activity is with a person in authority and provide for alternatives to prosecution and sentencing in the case of young sexual offenders.