A REPORT on child health care, education, justice, child and teenage prostitution, paedophilia and other related matters is to be commissioned by Fianna Fail.
The decision follows a party frontbench meeting in Monaghan at which the protection of children and young adults was discussed. The party spokesman on equality and law reform, Dr Michael Woods, said he intended to have the report completed as soon as possible.
The party leader, Mr Bertie Ahern, brought the front bench to Monaghan as part of a "meet the people" exercise. They held talks with political and religious representatives and received deputations and lobby groups.
Mr Ahern described as "dangerous" the signal by the Taoiseach that a new IRA ceasefire could be on the cards if there was no basis in reality for the statement.
Mr Ahern was joined by the parliamentary party chairman Dr Rory O'Hanlon, and chief whip, Mr Dermot Ahern, in meeting a delegation from the Presbyterian Synod led by the Moderator, the Rev Dr Harry Allen.
He said later they discussed the peace process and developments over the summer months.
Referring to the peace process, Mr Ahern urged Sinn Fein to find a way towards the restoration of the IRA ceasefire so it could engage in all inclusive talks. He was critical of the time lost over the decommissioning debate during the ceasefire, which he felt contributed to the breakdown.
He said the misuse of the opportunities should not be a reason for not trying again and making a renewed effort for peace.
On the BSE situation, Mr Ahern expressed reservations about the proposals to scale down permanent Garda checkpoints along the Border and replace them with mobile patrols, as he felt it was vital that an effective control image for the beef industry should be maintained.
Last night Mr Ahern travelled across the Border to south Armagh for an informal meeting with community representatives in Crossmaglen.
He and the party spokesman on foreign affairs, Mr Ray Burke, undertook to ask the Department of Foreign Affairs to make representations for part funding by the Northern Ireland authorities of a major GAA complex planned at Crossmaglen.
The assurances were given to the chairman of Crossmaglen Rangers Club, Mr Eddie Hughes, and other officials, who were accompanied by a local SDLP councillor, Mr John Fee, in meeting the visiting Dublin politicians.