SEANAD REPORT:THE RIGHTS of the child would not be properly protected in Irish law until there was a change to the Constitution specifically guaranteeing it, Denis O'Donovan(FF) said.

He made the observation after Frances Fitzgerald, Fine Gael leader in the House, had stated that the abuse of children continued in present-day Ireland. It was an appalling outrage that almost 250 vulnerable children in need to psychiatric care found themselves in adult mental health facilities, she said. "What commission is going to be inquiring into that in 10 years' time?"

Mary White(FF) said the diabolical way these children were being treated by the HSE needed to be changed even if this required politicians to become near-revolutionaries.

Nicky McFadden(FG) said it was morally wrong to put such children into antiquated buildings with older acute psychiatric patients. We had the fifth-highest suicide rate in Europe among the l5-25 age group.

Our very poor services for young people suffering from psychiatric problems were probably one of the contributing factors.

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There was a need for an early debate on the appropriateness of international bodies interfering in the legislative process in this country, Ronan Mullen( Ind ) said. There were arguments for and against proposals to introduce a law on blasphemy. We must decide this matter for ourselves and not bend to pressures which appeared to be oppressive on our national sovereignty.

Mr Mullen was reacting to remarks by fellow Independent David Norriswho noted that a senior member of the Organisation for Security and Co-operation in Europe had warned that legislation of the kind envisaged would be regrettable. Mr Norris said a blasphemy law would only be used to restrict freedom of speech.