The Government's failure to appoint an ombudsman for children is "completely intolerable" and leaves vulnerable youngsters with no one to stand up for them, according to the Labour Party.
Labour's spokeswoman on children, Senator Kathleen O'Meara, said yesterday that such an ombudsman could champion their rights and welfare and ensure the authorities met their responsibilities.
The Act to set up the post passed into law a year ago and Ms O'Meara accused the Government of unacceptable "foot-dragging".
"It was the very last piece of legislation passed by the 28th Dáil and the Government promised at the general election it would be in place by the end of 2002," she said. "Now they tell us it may be at least 2004 before the office is finally established. Children are being betrayed by this Government. The delay is completely intolerable.
"At present, breaches of children's rights and welfare by public bodies cannot now be investigated and those with a complaint - children themselves, their parent or someone acting on behalf of a child - have nowhere to go except court."
A Government spokesman said the Minister of State, Mr Brian Lenihan, was committed to having an ombudsman for children in place by April 2004 at the latest. The spokesman hoped the recruitment process would begin soon but stressed it was a complex one with children on the interview panel.
Labour's deputy leader and health spokeswoman, Ms Liz McManus, said that with "scandalous" lengthy waiting lists for sick children, such an ombudsman was vital. She sought "an explicit commitment" from the Government that any child who was acutely ill would secure healthcare promptly.