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17/02/2012
McConalogue Welcomes Stand-Alone Children’s Referendum
Fianna Fáil's spokesperson on Children has welcomed a commitment by the Government for a stand-alone Referendum on Children’s Rights to be held this year.
TD Charlie McConalogue said it was a relief that Minister Fitzgerald had made a clear commitment there will be a stand-alone Referendum on Children’s Rights in 2012.
He said there had been considerable disappointment at her Government’s failure to deliver on their election promise to hold the Referendum last year.
"It is important that this is a stand-alone ballot to ensure that it gets the focus and attention it deserves. We saw last October how the Government failed dismally in communicating to the public the issues involved in the two Referendums that were held alongside the Presidential election.
"The issue of enshrining the rights of the child in our Constitution is far too important to fall victim to a similar lapse in focus and failure of communication.
"It is essential that the Government devotes the time and energy necessary to make this important Constitutional change a reality. Children in this country have waited long enough for this. The Minister must now consult closely with opposition parties and the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to ensure that all-party consensus can be achieved on the referendum."
(DW/GK)
TD Charlie McConalogue said it was a relief that Minister Fitzgerald had made a clear commitment there will be a stand-alone Referendum on Children’s Rights in 2012.
He said there had been considerable disappointment at her Government’s failure to deliver on their election promise to hold the Referendum last year.
"It is important that this is a stand-alone ballot to ensure that it gets the focus and attention it deserves. We saw last October how the Government failed dismally in communicating to the public the issues involved in the two Referendums that were held alongside the Presidential election.
"The issue of enshrining the rights of the child in our Constitution is far too important to fall victim to a similar lapse in focus and failure of communication.
"It is essential that the Government devotes the time and energy necessary to make this important Constitutional change a reality. Children in this country have waited long enough for this. The Minister must now consult closely with opposition parties and the Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children to ensure that all-party consensus can be achieved on the referendum."
(DW/GK)
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