Fitzgerald publishes wording of 'significant' Children's Referendum
The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald has published the wording of the long-awaited Children's Rights Referendum.
The 31st Amendment to the Constitution sets out the wording for the proposed Children’s Referendum which has been announced for Saturday, November 10.
Ms Fitzgerald said: "It is nearly twenty years since Judge Catherine McGuinness first called for constitutional change of this nature, in her report on the Kilkenny Incest Case. Since then successive Governments have discussed the issue, made promises, examined options, set up committees; but today, after 17 reports detailing child protection failings, this Government is acting.
"Today I am publishing the 31st Amendment to the Constitution Bill and on Saturday, November 10th we will hold one of the most significant referenda in the history of the State.
"We will put forward a proposed amendment which would represent a major and historic change. This Amendment proposes to include a new standalone article in our Constitution, Article 42A, titled ‘Children’.
"This referendum is the clearest statement the nation can make that that legacy is being left behind."
The minister claimed that the referendum will change the Constitution in order to protect children, support families and treat all children equally.
Ms Fitzgerald said: "It will also bring to an end the current Constitutional situation where children are treated differently on the basis of their parent’s marital status, when it comes to issues such as adoption."
In his report from last year Geoffrey Shannon, author of the "Fifth Report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection" said that including childrens' in the constitution would ensure "that a greater level of regard would be given to children’s rights in all matters, particularly in the legal arena."
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