ASSEMBLY TO APPOINT CHILDREN’S COMMISSIONER

TWO ministers from the Office of the First Minister and Deputy First Minister have met with politicians in Dublin to discuss and examine childcare strategies deployed in the Republic of Ireland.

Mr Haughey and Mr Nesbitt were speaking in Dublin on Tuesday 17 July, following a meeting with Mrs Mary Hanafin, Minister for Children in the Republic of Ireland.

Ministers from the Northern Ireland Executive travelled to discuss the Republic's National Children's Strategy, and to learn more about that model in preparation for the launch of a children's strategy in Northern Ireland.

Speaking after the meeting, Mr Haughey said: "We have recently embarked on a process to develop a strategy which will address the needs of children and young people in Northern Ireland. We want that strategy to be the best in Europe, if not the world.

"The strategy discussed today is widely recognised as a best practice example and we shall be considering carefully many of the points which we have examined in today's meeting."

Mr Nesbitt added: "The Executive acknowledged the importance of drawing widely on experience in other jurisdictions and to share ideas on strategies to secure a better future for children in Northern Ireland.

"We are fortunate indeed to have, close to hand, a children's strategy which is acknowledged as a good example, and look forward to seeing how this and other models in the United Kingdom and further afield, can be translated into a policy which will bring benefits to children and young people in this country."

In conclusion, Mr Haughey and Mr Nesbitt said that work was already underway to consult widely on the role and remit of a Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland, and other elements which would comprise the strategy, and that a consultation document would be published in August 2001. (AMcE)