A special rapporteur for the protection of children is to be appointed as part of a package of measures announced today in response to the constitutional crisis sparked by last week's statutory rape debacle.
Taoiseach Bertie Ahern told the Dail today the rapporteur would monitor legal issues as they relate to children's rights and publish an annual report.
The position is to be filled by an independent legal expert, Mr Ahern said.
Labour Party leader Pat Rabbitte questioned whether the announcemnt was "window dressing" in the wake of the Government's embarrassment over the Supreme Court ruling two weeks ago, striking down the State's 70-year-old statutory rape law.
Mr Rabbitte suggested the rapporteur's role was already covered by the Ombudsman for Children but Mr Ahern said its ambit would include the monitoring of litigation both national and international and that the holder of the position would liase with the Ombudsman and Government departments.
The Taoiseach also announced new procedures for the Attorney General's office to prevent the Government being unaware of crucial legislative matters before the courts.
A protocol already exists but Mr Ahern told the Dail today that "it didn't happen" with regard to the striking down of the statutory rape law.
There are to be meetings every second month between officials from the AGs office and the DPP to review the general enforcement of criminal law and any constitutional challenges.
A memorandum is to be brought quarterly to Government through the Taoiseach's office providing updates on important litigation being handled by the DPP or the AG.
Mr Ahern said the AG would submit a written report to the Secretary General to the Government and any other relevant departments every two months about potentially important legislative developments pending.
A senior official at the Department of Finance, Eddie Sullivan, will also conduct a review of the implementation of the new procedures at the Attorney General's office to identify any further procedural changes that may be needed.
Fine Gael leader Enda Kenny was critical of the measure saying only "an independent, full-scale investigation" would suffice to assuage public concerns.
Further measures in the wake of the release of Mr A that followed the Supreme Court decision includes the creation of an all-party committee to discuss the wider issues surrounding the case.