The Ombudsman for Children’s Office in Ireland has been calling for stronger protection for children’s rights in the Irish Constitution since the Office was established almost 8 years ago. I am pleased that wording for a proposed amendment to the Constitution has been published and that a date has been set for the referendum (10th November 2012). This represents a significant and positive step forward for children and families in Ireland.

I congratulate the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for bringing this proposal forward. The Ombudsman for Children’s Office has provided advice on constitutional change to Ministers of Government and to the Oireachtas (Ireland’s parliament) on four separate occasions since its first year of operation. The central message of these submissions has been the same: Ireland should enshrine key children’s rights principles in the Constitution in order to underpin a fundamental shift in our law, policy and practice regarding children.

I am mandated, under Section 7(1)(d)of the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002, to promote awareness among members of the public of children’s rights and welfare and how these rights can be enforced and I will continue to carry out these functions over the coming weeks.

The Ombudsman for Children’s previous advices to Ministers of Government and the Oireachtas, and comments on children’s rights in the Constitution, are available at: www.oco.ie/policy-and-research/areas-of-work/constitutional-referendum.html 

Organisation Contact Details:

Ombudsman for Children - Ireland
Millennium House
52-56 Great Strand Street
Dublin 1
Ireland
Tel: + 353 1 8656 800
Email: oco@oco.ie
Website: www.oco.ie

Last updated 20/09/2012 13:26:21