No trust over children’s referendum

We always knew that politicians could not be trusted, especially when it comes to telling the truth about the legalities of referenda.

However, the revelation by Kathy Sinnott on the Pat Kenny programme shows that they are totally untrustworthy.

The Government is actually deleting the provision in the Constitution that allowed Ms Sinnott to successfully take the Government to court to win educational rights for all children.

If the people are foolish enough to support the referendum, they will actually be discharging the State from its current obligation to provide the help and resources that children, especially children with special needs, are entitled to.

The Government is acting as though they already have this referendum in the bag. We already see that services for children with disabilities are being cut, hitting the most vulnerable.

Children’s allowance is being reduced at a time when families are under huge financial strain. What will happen to other basic health services for children if this referendum is carried? Eye tests, hearing tests, and dental treatments; will they all be abolished too?

The Government will not be obliged to provide any extra services.

This referendum needs to be seen for what it really is. The State is taking total control over every child. The State will then decide what is in the best interest of the child, or more correctly, the financial interest of the troika. Clearly, the sick and the disabled are already outside the loop. The State will have total control without responsibility.

The State has an appalling record when it comes to caring for children. Five hundred children that were in its care over the last decades are now missing. The State has admitted that an estimated 260 children are currently unaccounted for. The most alarming thing about all of that is that no one has been prosecuted or held accountable for this scandal.

I hope the Irish people realise exactly what is going on.

Childcare is huge business. Dysfunctional families are big business too. Once the State gets access to the children, it will generate huge income for those who are waiting to step in to the role of parents.

Of course all of these services will be provided “in the best interest of the child”. State control of children is part of the communist manifesto, it is certainly manifesting itself in the wording of this referendum.

No wonder the democratic process of debate is being squashed.

Mairead Scannell

Dublin Rd

Fermoy

Co Cork