New referendum will give us chance to say that our children matter

I’M guessing we’re about 60 days away from a referendum.

If my guess is right, that referendum will give our generation an opportunity that no previous generation has ever had. If we get the chance, and we vote yes, we will be doing something profound and important, something that will change the culture of Ireland for ever.

I’m talking, of course, about a referendum on the rights of children. That referendum will give us the chance to say that we demand, on behalf of all our children now and into the future, that childhood is genuinely valued as something that is fundamental, unique, and fragile. It will enable us to say that we want our children protected, respected, and heard.