Fitzgerald hopeful of no 'scaremongering'

The Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald says she hopes there will be no scaremongering in the run up to the Children’s Rights referendum.

The referendum, which will be held on November 10, will give the state stronger intervention rights.

The most notable person to come out against the proposed new article is former MEP Kathy Sinnott. She says it will put the state ahead of parents when it comes to deciding what is best for children.

Minister Frances Fitzgerald says that's not the case: “Let’s hope there isn’t scaremongering because sm doesn’t help anyone. We’ve been waiting for this for 20 years.

“It’s the right thing to do, it’s overdue in fact. It is an amendment that respects the rights of parents, that says let’s do the best for our children. They have been ignored, the most vulnerable have not been dealt with well in this country.”