CHILD PROTECTION groups united yesterday to call on the Government to fulfil its pledge to hold a referendum on child protection and children's rights.
This follows a report in The Irish Timesin which the Minister for Children Barry Andrews signalled that legislation rather than a referendum may prove to be a more viable option.
In a joint statement yesterday, the children's charity Barnardos and the ISPCC said a referendum was urgently needed to protect the welfare of children at risk.
Ashley Balbirnie, the ISPCC's chief executive, said: "Inserting new wording into our Constitution that overtly upholds the rights of the child is not a frightening or revolutionary proposition. It will make a difference in people's lives.
"But that difference will be felt by children who otherwise might be in danger, who might be forgotten or whose families might not be given the supports to nurture their children's potential and build a decent future for their kids."
Fergus Finlay, chief executive of Barnardos, said that only a year ago the Government had claimed it would like to see a Constitution in which the welfare of the child would be paramount.
"Since that statement, the only thing that has changed is political will. Children remain on long waiting lists for critical services and decisions continue to be made about them and for them that do not take into account what is in their best interest," he said.
"We need to learn from the mistakes of the past and create a new culture where children can be assured of full protection under the law, where they will not end up as witnesses in cases where the defence of 'honest mistake' is argued and where the courts have the support of the Constitution in making decisions that respect a child's rights and promote their well-being."
He added that parents had nothing to fear from a society where children rights' were better protected.
"In Barnardos, we consider the rights of the child and the rights of the family to be mutually supportive. In our work with children we work closely with families to make them stronger, more nurturing environments in which to rear their children," Mr Finlay said.
"So if you believe, as I do, that the best place for a child to be is at the heart of their family, you have to believe also that the best thing that the State can do to recognise and nurture childhood is to support families. I think that is something that an awful lot of people would vote for."