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Tensions rise over issue of children's rights

Tensions have increased between the Government and Fine Gael over ever-strengthening signals from the Government that a children’s referendum will not be held, despite commitments by former taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Insisting that no final decision has been made, Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews said children’s rights are already protected under the Constitution, and legislation already passed has never been challenged in the Supreme Court.

So far, he said, the Oireachtas committee on child protection has received “very strong advices” from a majority of legal experts it has consulted that a constitutional referendum is not necessary, and could do harm.

The committee, chaired by former Fianna Fáil minister Mary O’Rourke, is due to finish its work by the end of November. Fine Gael TD Alan Shatter last night strongly criticised Mr Andrews’ latest comments – though these have been echoed by others in the Government – and warned that “he may be endangering vulnerable children in the future”.

He added: “Minister Andrews is wrong when he claims that a referendum is not necessary to achieve the highest level of protection for our children. The Minister is publicly misrepresenting the legal position, as well as the advice given to the Oireachtas committee which was set up to deal with this issue.”

Mark Hennessy, political correspondent

More story at-http://www.irishtimes.com/newspaper/ireland/2008/0902/1220301235493.html

© 2008 The Irish Times

 
 

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