Muddled thinking on the rights of children

THE Ombudsman for Children, Emily Logan, said recently that successive governments have ignored the needs of children with mental health problems.

I agree.

She also suggested that the ratification of the UN convention had underscored this point.

In her submission to the Oireachtas all-party committee on the family earlier this year, Ms Logan also called for a “constitutional amendment to give protection to the rights of children,” though she later contended that, under Irish law, there was no obligation to do so.

I am afraid Ms Logan is somewhat muddled here. The UN convention is in direct conflict with the constitution. The UN itself recognises this.

The Irish ‘ratification’ carried out by former ministers Charles Haughey and Ray Burke was without the authority of the people.

Legalities aside, it makes little sense to ratify externally what is illegal internally. If Ms Logan was correct, there would be little point in having a constitution at all. Politicians could carry out and ratify changes, and the people would have no option but to agree.

Donal O’Driscoll

33 Dargle Road

Blackrock

Co Dublin.