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	The Irish Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (ISPCC) believes there are key shortcomings in the proposed Children First legislation, which could undermine how the law works in practice.</p>
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	The ISPCC comments come as the Children First Bill is debated in the Seanad for the first time on Tuesday. The legislation was first introduced in 2014, and concluded its second stage in the Dail last week.</p>
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	According to ISPCC CEO Grainia Long, &lsquo;The Children First Bill is a landmark and long-awaited piece of legislation.&nbsp; It sets out clear obligations for organisations that provide services to children and also aims to ensure that individuals working with children have a responsibility to report child protection or safety concerns. However, it lacks a reasonable and proportionate system for overseeing compliance and for applying sanctions where breaches occur.&nbsp; There&rsquo;s a real risk that this important law will be rendered meaningless as a result&rsquo;.&nbsp;</p>
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	An ISPCC briefing to members of Seanad Eireann sets out recommended changes to the bill. This includes ensuring that all organisations are required to ensure their Safeguarding Statements are made available publicly; that the register of non-compliance is also an easily accessible public register; that organisations who fail to meet their obligations are fined and individuals who fail to report child protection risks also face sanctions.</p>
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	Ms Long said, &ldquo;In 2014, 460,000 children called Childline, and many of those related to children at risk.&nbsp; This legislation could be a game-changer in changing our national culture, so that keeping children safe is recognised as everyone&rsquo;s business.&quot;</p>
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	<a href="http://utv.ie/News/2015/07/21/ISPCC-highlight-shortcomings-in-Children-First-Bill-41439">http://utv.ie/News/2015/07/21/ISPCC-highlight-shortcomings-in-Children-First-Bill-41439</a></p>
