The order providing for the creation of the Children's Commissioner for Northern Ireland is to be debated in the House of Commons on Thursday.

It is expected to become law next month and a commissioner is expected to be appointed during the summer.

Monica McWilliams of the Women's Coalition, who has campaigned for the creation of the post, said the new commissioner will have greater powers than his or her Welsh counterpart.

One of the priorities for us in Northern Ireland would be to protect and safeguard children Monica McWilliams Women's Coalition

Wales is the only other part of the United Kingdom to have a commissioner appointed.

"There will be an advocate for children, in many ways a spokesperson for children," said the South Belfast assembly member.

"They will be able to go in and investigate complaints and even take cases to court on behalf of children.

"Finally children will see that they have a champion here and that's a very important message because one of the priorities for us in Northern Ireland would be to protect and safeguard children and indeed to promote the interests of children."

Officials have said they hope to attract an international field of applicants for the job, which will be advertised in the spring.

A panel of 12 young people will play a role in helping to select the successful candidate.

The funding earmarked for the commissioner is �1.5m in the first year of the office rising to �2m in succeeding years.

The commissioner will serve a four year term in office, attracting a salary of about �70,000.

Northern Ireland's power-sharing executive announced plans for a children's commissioner in 2001.

Public views

A consultation document was published and members of the public were invited to make their views known.

Former junior ministers at the office of first minister and deputy first minister, Denis Haughey and Dermot Nesbitt, launched the paper.

"The executive wants to ensure that it is at the leading edge of best practice in protecting children's rights," said Mr Haughey.

"The principles of inclusion, equality, human rights and citizenship are central to what we do, and we are committed to ensuring that these principles are applied to the children and young people.''

Mr Nesbitt said the commissioner would promote and protect children's rights and ensure children had a voice in local government.

There have been calls to appoint a children's commissioner in England.