Govt to address UN Committee on rights of children
The Government is due to make an address to a UN committee in Geneva today about its moves to improve children's rights.
Children's Minister Brian Lenihan is expected to make particular reference to the establishment of the Ombudsman's Office for Children and his own elevation to Cabinet level during the speech to the Committee on the Rights of the Child.
Reports this morning say he will also use the occasion to confirm that the Government is considering holding a referendum to explicitly enshrine children's rights in the Constitution.
Children's rights campaigners have been calling for such a referendum for some time.
However, Mr Lenihan will reportedly tell the UN body today that the Government will be adopting a cautious approach and will not be rushing into changes.
Meanwhile, the Unmarried and Separated Fathers of Ireland group is planning to mount a protest in Geneva to coincide with the event.
It says the Government is failing to respect children’s rights to be loved and cared by both parents in the event of a family breakdown.
