Organisations which promote children's rights welcomed yesterday's publication of a Bill to appoint an ombudsman for children.
Barnardos called on all political parties to co-operate to have the legislation passed by the Oireachtas before a general election. The Labour Party said it would "pursue" the Minister of State for Children, Ms Mary Hanafin, to bring the Bill before the Dáil as speedily as possible.
Under the proposed legislation, the ombudsman for children could investigate complaints against public bodies such as health boards, schools and hospitals, both public and voluntary.
He or she could then make recommendations and ask the body to say what it would do about the issue. Due consideration would have to be given to the child's wishes.
Complaints could be made by a child, parent or other "suitable" person. The child's parents would have to be informed before a complaint was investigated. It is understood that Ms Hanafin will introduce the Bill to the Seanad while awaiting a slot in the Dáil.
Barnardos said the new office would benefit all children and young people in Ireland.
The legislation was first proposed in 1996 under a previous government, said Mr Owen Keenan, chief executive of Barnardos. "The previous commitment was not fulfilled due to a change of government. This is too important to all children and young people in Ireland to allow it to happen again."
The Children's Rights Alliance, which represents 68 non-governmental organisations, said the publication of the legislation "is a major development in the effort to promote and protect the rights and welfare of children in Ireland".
The Bill "is long overdue and should have been published much sooner", said the Labour Party's spokeswoman on children, Ms Róisín Shortall. "This new office has the potential to intervene in child welfare cases before they reach crisis point and end up in the courts," she said. "It will only be able to do so, however, if it is properly funded and resourced by the Government."