The Child and Family Agency - Tusla - has called for an urgent review of a decision by a District Court Judge to strike out a case relating to alleged breaches of childcare regulations.

The agency was prosecuting Giraffe Childcare - of Belarmine, Stepaside in Dublin - for three breaches of the Childcare Act.

However Judge Hugh O'Donnell ruled that Tusla did not have standing to bring the prosecution.

In response to the decision, the chief executive of Tulsa Gordon Jeyes said the agency had been conferred with sufficient powers to allow it to carry out its functions fully.

He has asked for today's decision to be reviewed as a matter of urgency, and insists it is imperative that the agency has all legitimate powers at its disposal, to protect the rights of children.

In a statement, Mr Jeyes said: "Tusla remains committed to ensuring that Early Years service providers live up to required standards through inspections; by giving parents the information they need to be vigilant about their children’s care; and by investigating complaints; and where necessary, through prosecutions."

"With specific reference to the substance of today’s court case, it is my understanding that sections 82 and 88 of the Child and Family Agency Act 2013 confer all the necessary powers to the Agency to allow it to carry out its functions fully."

"I have asked the Tusla legal office to have today’s decision reviewed as a matter of urgency. It is imperative that Tusla has at its disposal all legitimate powers to protect the rights of children and, where it feels such rights have been impinged, it is critical that Tusla has recourse to the law to address these matters," he added.