AMONG the main recommendations of the report are:
. The reporting of actual or suspected child abuse or neglect to become a legal requirement for designated staff, including health board personnel; GPs, the Garda, teachers and staff of voluntary and private childcare services.
. The issuing of guidelines to these staff, who should have immunity in any legal proceedings.
. Western Health Board to establish an internal consultative process with relevant staff and services to maximise its capacity to accurately identify children at risk and to intervene effectively to eradicate or reduce the risk to the children.
. The Department of Health to be pro active in monitoring health boards' childcare developments to ensure national consistency.
. All Government action in respect of children, particularly those vulnerable to abuse or neglect, to be founded on the principles and articles of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
. Consideration to be given to including a statement on the rights of children in the Constitution.
. Schools to nominate a teacher to develop expertise in identifying child abuse or neglect and liaise with a health board.
. Health boards to agree a format on the transfer of information from one area to another and the Department of Health to agree to share information on children at risk through agreements with other countries.
. Entering children on an "at risk" register where a comprehensive investigation indicates risk.
. The Western Health Board to substantially overhaul arrangements for the holding of case conferences.