* Children's organisations in Northern Ireland have been invited to have their say about the role of the children's commissioner there. Representatives of groups including NIPPA, Playboard, Childcare Northern Ireland, Save the Children, Barnardo's and the Children's Law Centre met First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to discuss the new independent post. Mr Trimble told them, 'To be really effective the establishment of a children's commissioner must be part of an overall strategy to secure the well-being of children. We want to put the new arrangements in place as quickly as possible but we must also ensure that we get them right.'
* Children's organisations in Northern Ireland have been invited to have their say about the role of the children's commissioner there.
Representatives of groups including NIPPA, Playboard, Childcare Northern Ireland, Save the Children, Barnardo's and the Children's Law Centre met First Minister David Trimble and Deputy First Minister Seamus Mallon to discuss the new independent post. Mr Trimble told them, 'To be really effective the establishment of a children's commissioner must be part of an overall strategy to secure the well-being of children. We want to put the new arrangements in place as quickly as possible but we must also ensure that we get them right.'
Mr Mallon described the Northern Ireland Executive's decision to appoint an independent commissioner as 'the most significant proposal in the area of children's rights for many years'.
