Public consultation launched on role of Children's Commissioner

Denis Haughey and Dermot Nesbitt have launched a consultative document on the role of the Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland and reaffirmed the Executive's commitment to being a world leader in protecting children's rights and needs.

Speaking during the launch at Mitchell House School, in Belfast, they urged everyone with an interest in children's affairs - especially children and young people themselves - to make their views known during the public consultation period.

Mr Haughey said: "The Executive wants to ensure that it is at the leading edge of best practice in protecting children's rights. The establishment of a Commissioner for Children is therefore one of the most important developments since devolution.

"The principles of inclusion, equality human rights and citizenship are central to what we do, and we are committed to ensuring that these principles are applied to the children and young people.''

Mr Nesbitt said: "For the first time in Northern Ireland, we will have a Commissioner for Children, who will be dedicated to promoting and protecting children's rights and ensuring the concerns of children and young people are fully considered in the administration's policy-making, priority setting and resource allocation.

“While this consultation document indicates some of the tasks which might fall to the Commissioner, it is not prescriptive. We want to receive as wide a range of views as possible, all of which will be considered very carefully before final decisions are taken on the Commissioner's role."

Mr Haughey highlighted the important role that young people played in society and said that the appointment of the Children's Commissioner would help to ensure that these needs were recognised.

In January 2001, the First Minister and Deputy First Minister announced the intention of the Executive to appoint a Children's Commissioner as part of a wider strategy for children in Northern Ireland.

A publicity campaign is currently underway to encourage a wide response to the document before the consultation period ends on November 8.

Views can be sent to Human Rights Unit, Room A5.1, Castle Buildings, Stormont Estate, Belfast, BT4 3SR or emailed via a link on the Children's Commissioner website at www.allchildrenni.com. (SP)