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Referendum on children's rights is needed, say child protection groups

Child protection groups united yesterday to call on the Government to fulfil its pledge to hold a referendum on child protection and children's rights.

This follows a report in The Irish Timesin which the Minister for Children Barry Andrews signalled that legislation rather than a referendum may prove to be a more viable option.

In a joint statement yesterday, the children's charity Barnardos and the ISPCC said a referendum was urgently needed to protect the welfare of children at risk.

Ashley Balbirnie, the ISPCC's chief executive, said: "Inserting new wording into our Constitution that overtly upholds the rights of the child is not a frightening or revolutionary proposition. It will make a difference in people's lives.

"But that difference will be felt by children who otherwise might be in danger, who might be forgotten or whose families might not be given the supports to nurture their children's potential and build a decent future for their kids."

Fergus Finlay, chief executive of Barnardos, said that only a year ago the Government had claimed it would like to see a Constitution in which the welfare of the child would be paramount.

By Carl O'Brien Social Affairs Correspondent, Irish Times

More story at-http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0813/1218477454799.html

© 2008 The Irish Times

 
 

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