A call for the Government to put in place a comprehensive vetting system to enhance child safety and protection was made yesterday by the Fine Gael spokeswoman on education and science.
Ms Olwyn Enright made the call ahead of the party's Private Members' Motion on Vetting and Child Safety which will be discussed in the Dáil this week.
She said the system of vetting in Ireland was unacceptable, as was highlighted in the 2002 Irish Social Services Inspectorate report which said the situation in relation to vetting staff was unsatisfactory and required urgent attention.
"Due to the importance of this issue and because it affects the safety of children and vulnerable adults in every part of the country, Fine Gael has tabled the motion for debate this week," she said. The party was also calling on the Government to ensure that staff or volunteers, full and part time, were vetted before taking up positions with children.
Ms Enright said the recent RTÉ Prime Time programme on child pornography served once again as a reminder of the dangers of abuse and exploitation that children faced. However, there had been too much delay and far too little action in putting in place the procedures which would add to the protection of children, she said.