Children's groups have called for more time to make submissions to a new Oireachtas committee on children's rights.
The special joint committee was set up after the Supreme Court decision in the "CC" case amid public outcry over the possible release of prisoners convicted of statutory rape.
Children's rights groups say the August 31st deadline is unrealistic as most people are on holidays and there is not enough time to research and prepare submissions.
Jillian van Turnhout, chief executive of the Children's Rights Alliance, representing some 80 children's organisations, said the deadline should be extended to mid or late September.
She said: "It's a very wide ranging issue and we want to be able to address all aspects. We need time to do research for our submissions. We would like it extended to the end of September, it is more realistic."
The original date on the advertisement for submissions which appeared in the national media on July 24th was August 18th.
Groups have since been told that this has been extended to the end of August.
However, Ms van Turnhout said for most organisations August was the only time staff could take holidays. Many groups only saw the advertisement as they were going on holiday.
"It is ironic when the politicians themselves are on holidays. That's why we go on holidays at this time when it's quiet."
Also adding her voice to the call for more time is Monica Rowe from Cabinteely, Dublin, who led nationwide protests when she urged people to take to the streets on the Gerry Ryan Show on 2FM radio at the beginning of June when the crisis around child protection legislation first emerged.
She said: "The deadline is quite obviously not long enough. They seem to want to just slip this in. If the Government genuinely wants input then they need to give people the chance to prepare their submissions."
The committee will review the substantive criminal law relating to sexual offences against children, such as the age of consent in relation to sexual offences and procedures on evidence of children in abuse cases.
It will also consider the implications arising from the "CC" case and examine whether or not there should be an amendment to the Constitution.
Fianna Fáil TD Peter Power chairs the committee whose members include Minister for Justice Michael McDowell and Minister for Children Brian Lenihan.
It is the first time Ministers have been nominated to serve as members of an Oireachtas committee.
The Dáil has mandated the committee to produce a comprehensive report by November 30th.