Charities in child abuse campaign

Children's charities on both sides of the Northern Ireland border are joining forces to campaign for tougher laws to protect children from abuse.

The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children and the Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children have said there is a need for a common approach to vetting those who work with children.

They are also campaigning for similar legislation on the registration and management of sex offenders.

They believe this would stop people who could present a danger to children from dodging the respective systems by crossing the border.

Colin Reid from the NSPCC said: "Both these issues have seen considerable legislative and policy developments in different ways on both sides of the border, and we consider that there is a considerable potential for gaps and anomalies to occur."

Coin Reid: 'Well defined process" in province

He said that Northern Ireland had a "fairly well defined process of vetting through the Department of Health and Social Services," but that this was not fully matched in the Republic of Ireland.

"They carry out a police check of teachers who are unsuitable to work with children and check the register of people who have been dismissed in child care posts for harming children.

"Unfortunately in the Republic of Ireland no such process exists and we are very concerned about this.

He added: "What we are calling for is improved legislation in Northern Ireland. We are pleased to see the Northern Ireland Assembly is to tackle this issue in the coming year.

"But there needs to be a north-south component and equivalent legislation in the republic.

"We think this is an area that needs urgent political co-operation on a north-south basis, to have similar legislation and policies to ensure that children, irrespective of where they live, in Northern Ireland or the Republic of Ireland are safe. "

Northern Ireland Education Minister, Martin McGuinness said he recognised the need for north-south co-operation on the issue.

The Sinn Fein minister said: "Education and health sector officials, north and south, are working together, in collaboration with other appropriate British and Irish Government Departments, to create a confidential mechanism across both islands for the identification of persons considered unsafe to work with children and young people.

"The aim is that this mechanism will be capable of interrogation by employers or potential employers in each jurisdiction through the appropriate authorities.

"Child protection is our common concern and we aim to ensure that systems are compatible, not only across the island of Ireland, but also with systems in Britain."