Children first-must mean we put children First

Following from the publication of the Cloyne Report this week, Deputy Regina Doherty believes we should do more to protect our children. The first step in this endeavour is the Children First National Guidance 2011.
Deputy Doherty, who sits on the Joint Committee for Children and Youth Affairs, said at the launch of the Childrens First National Guidance that she believes we have a serious obligation towards children and their welfare. The Children First National Guidance 2011 informs organisations, public bodies and we, the general public, what we need to do if we are concerned about a child’s safety and welfare. The scope of the guidance goes beyond reporting the incident to statutory bodies.
Deputy Doherty states “The protection of our children has never been more important, as proven by the revelations this past week. We must work towards a system that allows for 100% transparency and inter-agency co-operation when it comes to the welfare of children. Information must be shared among agencies and bodies so that abuse of any kind can be detected and will not slip through the cracks.”
“Harrowing stories were told this week by victims and parents of deceased victims. The litany of abuse continued because there were no systems in place, no communication and too much covering-up going. We must ensure that this never happens again”
“I completely agree with the mandatory sentencing of individuals who do not report cases of abuse and my personal opinion that 5years is not long enough. People with the knowledge of abuse and do nothing, are just a culpable as they abusers.”
“Children first must mean we put children first and these guidelines as well as the proposed legislation from Minister Shatter are all positive steps to achieving this.”