This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/northern_ireland/8009572.stm

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Bid to outlaw smacking abandoned Bid to outlaw smacking abandoned
(about 3 hours later)
The NI Children's Commissioner has abandoned attempts to ban smacking because of "financial constraints". The NI children's commissioner has abandoned attempts to ban smacking because of "financial constraints".
In February, the Court of Appeal dismissed Patricia Lewsley's latest attempt to outlaw smacking.In February, the Court of Appeal dismissed Patricia Lewsley's latest attempt to outlaw smacking.
Her office incurred costs of £81,329, even before having to foot the bill of taking the case to the Court of Appeal.Her office incurred costs of £81,329, even before having to foot the bill of taking the case to the Court of Appeal.
"I am disappointed that I cannot continue my legal efforts to end the unequal treatment of children who suffer an assault," she said. PUP leader Dawn Purvis said the lack of funds was concerning, adding: "If the children's commissioner cannot act on behalf of all children - who can?"
"However, I will continue my efforts to make sure that children have equal treatment and protection in law." Ms Purvis added: "This has been a contentious issue, however the children's commissioner has been put in place to look after the interests of all children.
"This is an issue that she has found to be a priority and yet she does not feel she has the funds to address it."
Ms Lewsley said she was disappointed that she could not continue her legal efforts to end the "unequal treatment of children who suffer an assault".
"However, I will continue my efforts to make sure that children have equal treatment and protection in law," she said.
DefenceDefence
Ms Lewsley had been criticised by the DUP who accused her of mounting an "ideologically-driven campaign which attempts to criminalise parents", but she insisted her court action had been taken to protect children.Ms Lewsley had been criticised by the DUP who accused her of mounting an "ideologically-driven campaign which attempts to criminalise parents", but she insisted her court action had been taken to protect children.
"The law as it stands makes it illegal to hit a child, but a defence is available to parents to a charge of common assault of a child," she said."The law as it stands makes it illegal to hit a child, but a defence is available to parents to a charge of common assault of a child," she said.
"I believe that is unclear, confusing for parents, and needs to be reformed. It should be clear that there is to be no more hitting of children in Northern Ireland.""I believe that is unclear, confusing for parents, and needs to be reformed. It should be clear that there is to be no more hitting of children in Northern Ireland."
She added: "In the same way as hitting adult partners was made illegal and without any defence, I am confident that one day there will be no defence for hitting a child."She added: "In the same way as hitting adult partners was made illegal and without any defence, I am confident that one day there will be no defence for hitting a child."
The cost of the Court of Appeal action is not yet known.The cost of the Court of Appeal action is not yet known.