Why I did not vote ‘yes’ in children’s referendum

As one of the 445,863 people who voted against the proposal to alter our constitution, I need to defend my decision as a result of various theories espoused by a number of ministers.

I believe the State got off the hook by removing a definitive obligation to protect the imprescriptible rights of children (Article 42.5) and replace it with a conditional article which will affirm these “rights” where “practicable”.

As a family man I have great concern for the welfare of all children, but as the troika bean counters control our particular asylum, our weak-minded Government will not make the required resources available lest they leave their bondholder friends short.