Ireland'Â’s laws on smacking children have been found to be in breach of European legislation.
In a ruling issued this morning, the Council of Europe says corporal punishment of children isn’'t prohibited “in a sufficiently clear, binding and precise manner under Irish legislation or case-law”.
As it stands, Corporal punishment is outlawed in our schools, but parents can defend smacking their children in court.
Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald says the Government will comply with the ruling - but she doesn't believe weÂ’re behind the rest of Europe in protecting children:
