Sir, – I struggle to understand the ongoing failure of our Government to rectify the fact that one must make a religious declaration to take higher office.
The declaration’s references to God – as specified in our Constitution – were criticised in a 1993 report of the UN Human Rights Committee. The 1996 Constitution Review Group proposed that the President and members of the Council of State should be permitted to substitute a non-religious affirmation.
Disappointingly, the upcoming referendum to lower the minimum age for the presidency to 21 does nothing to address this issue. A simple inclusion in the referendum of a clause allowing the right to “truthfully affirm” as an option on taking up office would resolve the issue forthwith. Without such a clause, the referendum should not proceed without opposition. – Yours, etc,
NIAMH KELLY,
Bandon,
Co Cork.