Referendum on children's rights

Sir, – Michael Williams (October 23rd) seems to misunderstand the role of judges in interpreting our Constitution

Sir, – Michael Williams (October 23rd) seems to misunderstand the role of judges in interpreting our Constitution. While he is quite right to say that judges are unelected, his contention that this amendment would transfer legislative power to the judiciary is incorrect. The right to bodily integrity (Ryan v Attorney General), the right to privacy (McGee v Attorney General, Kennedy Arnold v Ireland), the right to earn a livelihood (Cox v Ireland), and the right to criminal legal aid (State [Healy] v Donoghue) are just some of the rights that have been identified by the courts in the lifetime of the Constitution. If the children’s rights referendum is passed, it will certainly effect a number of changes in our law. Judicial articulation of rights will not be one of them. – Yours, etc,

GRACE MADIGAN,

Kilgobbin Road,

Dublin 18.