The Government is to defend the lack of a ban on corporal punishment against children in the home at a UN committee next month which will examine Ireland's progress on protecting children's rights.
It is one of a number of areas of concern which UN officials are due to raise with a Government delegation led by Minister for Children Brian Lenihan at a special meeting in Geneva.
The UN and the Minister's office have been engaged in correspondence across a number of areas of concern in advance of the meeting. These include the treatment of young people in the criminal justice system; resources for children in care; and legal protections for children at risk of abuse.
The committee, which has previously criticised the Government over the matter, has asked for further details on its plans to offer protection for children against abuse.
Minister Lenihan's office has defended the lack of a ban and emphasised its efforts in promoting alternatives to corporal punishment.
The response reads: "As regards the situation of corporal punishment in the home, it is considered that there is no legislative half-way house. Ireland's view is that there is a balance to be found in trying to dissuade parents from using physical chastisement, supporting them in effective parenting and, at the same time, acknowledging parents as the best judges of how to bring up their children within the letter of the law."
However, the Government's response indicates that there could be a ban on corporal punishment at an unspecified date in the future.
The response says, "the issue is under continuous review. It is anticipated there will be an appropriate time for the introduction of an outright ban on corporal punishment in the family setting, which will be widely accepted and endorsed by society. Ireland's approach will continue to be the development and promotion of both policy and legislation which work in partnership with the family and other agencies".
During the previous examination of the State's record on protecting children's rights in 1998, the UN came out against corporal punishment in the home, recommending legislation to ban it.
It suggested that Ireland "take all appropriate measures, including of a legislative nature, to prohibit and eliminate the use of corporal punishment within the family environment".
Lobby groups such as the Children's Rights Alliance, a coalition of more than 80 organisations, has been campaigning for a ban on corporal punishment.
The alliance, which is also due to attend the UN meeting in Geneva, has expressed support for a constitutional amendment which would give greater protection to children. It has criticised the "unacceptable" level of child protection available and the delays in responding to the need of victims of abuse.
