REFERENDUM:A CONSTITUTIONAL referendum on children's rights could be held on the same day as the general election, Minister of State for Children Barry Andrews said last night.
Mr Andrews said he had confirmed to children’s rights groups yesterday that the necessary legislation could be prepared to allow the referendum to go ahead, provided the general election is held, as envisaged, towards the middle or end of March.
The Cabinet agreed the proposed new wording for a children’s amendment to the Constitution and yesterday children’s rights groups were briefed on its contents.
It follows, to a large degree, the wording of the amendment proposed by the all-party committee on the subject, but the commitment to the general welfare of children is expressed in aspirational terms and will be in Article 45 of the Constitution, which is non-judiciable.
The distinction between the status of the children of married and unmarried parents is to be removed and the wording provides for the adoption of the children of married, as well as unmarried parents, and for the voluntary placing of children for adoption.
The wording also makes provision, for the first time, for the voice of the child to be heard in all legal proceedings.
