Bill to permit abuse reporting

A Private Members' Bill on the reporting of child abuse will be presented today by the Fine Gael spokesman on health and children…

A Private Members' Bill on the reporting of child abuse will be presented today by the Fine Gael spokesman on health and children, Mr Alan Shatter TD.

The Bill would grant immunity from civil liability to any person who in good faith reports that a child is a victim of abuse or neglect. Mr Shatter has labelled the Government's policy a "shambles and a disgrace" following conflicting statements from junior Ministers Ms Liz O'Donnell and Mr Frank Fahey on the issue of mandatory reporting of abuse cases.