Rights of children to provoke ‘terrific fury’
All political parties in the Oireachtas committee have agreed to push for a constitutional amendment on children but expect their pending report to “invoke the most terrific fury” across the country.
Chairperson Mary O’Rourke of the Oireachtas Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children said the final wording of the recommended change needed to be agreed.
“We are moving towards a conclusion on that but already all the committees of all parties have decided that there is a need for a constitutional amendment on children. It is getting the wording right and that is going to be some job,” she said.
Mr Andrews has given the committee an extension to October 16, by which time it is expected to submit its third report on strengthening children’s rights.
The passing of its original deadline in March last year was criticised by children’s rights groups. Former Taoiseach Bertie Ahern had pledged over three years ago to hold the referendum.
One concern pushing the need for constitutional change is the fact that a child of a married couple cannot be adopted even if it is the case where that adoption could remove the child from an abusive family.
The committee’s report is expected to recommend a shift in the importance of the law from the centre of the family to the child.
Those involved in child protection also needed to feel confident about the work they were doing, she added.
“We don’t expect that where we have our work done, we’re going to be lauded with laurel leaves, far from it. That wording, and that then thrust towards the getting of that amendment and the living up to our UN obligations will invoke the most terrific fury throughout the land. It really will.
“A child is best brought up in love and care of a family. Of course that’s correct, but not in the cases where the child is not at peace in that family,” added the TD.
Mr Andrews had been asked to consult with the attorney general on a working text for the constitutional change and one that the Government firstly could agree on, said deputy committee chairman Michael Noonan.
A number of groups including Barnardos, CARI and One in Four are set to bring their own referendum wording to the Oireachtas committee next week.
The minister’s office last night confirmed he had been asked by the committee to look at the wording of a constitutional change by consulting with the attorney general. It would be up to him to guide the committee, his spokesperson added.
