This week, the Government is due to address the removal of ‘reasonable chastisement’ from our common law, with Minister for Children Dr. James Reilly intending to implement a ban on parents smacking their children.
While the move has been welcomed by a number of organisations however, a leading children’s group has urged other considerations ahead of the introduction of such measures.
According to the Children’s Rights Alliance, parents will need more support regarding child discipline in order for this new proposal to be successful for families.
The organisation’s chief executive, Tanya Ward, praised the Government’s latest move, but said that extra structures will need to be put in place for struggling parents.
“It is getting rid of the get-out clause. I think what they’ll need to do is follow up with public information for people so that there is complete clarity about what the law says, and also you need to support parents in using non-violent forms of discipline,” she said.
The proposed amendment is covered in the Children’s First Bill, which is currently passing through the Oireachtas; we will keep you updated on its progress.
