Constitution review set to update family rights

TAOISEACH Bertie Ahern has ordered a review of the Constitution to see what needs to be changed to give better rights to the family, which has undergone major transformation in the past 67 years.

Mr Ahern wants to know what changes need to be made to Eamon de Valera’s Constitution to bring it in line with modern Ireland and improve the rights of mothers, fathers and children. The Taoiseach has asked the All-Party Committee on the Constitution to spell out the changes in a report expected to be delivered next summer.

The Irish family has seen fundamental changes since 1937 that are not reflected in the Constitution, said committee chairman Denis O’Donovan.