Taoiseach Enda Kenny has told a major European conference on child abuse and neglect that Ireland still has a problem with the abuse of children.

He says that although over a dozen reports have shone a light on the failings of the past, such abuse doesn't go away entirely.

Mr Kenny said: "It is the lingering dark stain on the rich fabric of our humanity. It is an evil which persists. Child abuse is pervasive – it is a devastating fact that children all over the world are subject to physical, sexual or emotional ill-treatment or neglect."

"We have failed"

The Taoiseach added: "We have failed far too many children huge numbers of our youngest and most vulnerable. We know this and we know we cannot just do better, we must do our best."

He pointed to last year's referendum on the rights of the child and efforts to legislate for a Children First Bill as some of the reforms being put forward by the Government to address the issue.

Mr Kenny said that while child services still have a long way to go - the Government has made the start to reform them.