Child protection - Landmark proposals

THE proposal to enable people who believe that a child’s welfare is at risk to seek state intervention in the courts is a particularly welcome development.

How many harrowing stories have appeared in these pages about horrifically abused children who went unaided because concerned neighbours were powerless to act?

This urgent recommendation is central to a major report by Government-appointed Geoffrey Shannon, who also highlights the need for ongoing court supervision of decisions relating to the HSE and children in care, an issue underlined in an Irish Examiner exposé that some children were placed with families with criminal records and alcohol and drug problems.

Frances Fitzgerald, the children’s minister, must get full coalition support to give effect to these landmark proposals. While it is crucial to guard against claims motivated by malicious intent, no child should be abused because neighbours cannot alert relevant agencies to their plight.