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Yes vote will bring "historic change in child protection" printable version

11 Nov 2012: posted by the editor - Ireland

Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has today (Sunday) welcomed the Yes vote in the Children's Referendum, saying that it will "bring about significant change in the way vulnerable children are protected in this country".

"We have waited a long time for this day. Almost 20 years after it was first called for, we are now finally enshrining children's rights in our Constitution for the first time. This is an historic day, which will bring about significant change in the way we protect vulnerable children.

"Passing this Referendum will have a number of very tangible, positive impacts. Children must now be listened to in certain court proceedings, when crucial decisions are being made about their future. The child's best interests will now be central to every decision taken on their behalf. This will create a child-centred focus in our courts and our child protection services.

"Today's Yes vote will also address inequalities in adoption. All children will now be treated equally in adoption, regardless of the marital status of their parents. This will put an end to children waiting until they are almost 18 before they can be adopted. For children in long term foster care who wish to be adopted, this Yes vote will have a profound impact.

"This Government has given child protection a high priority. Since I took up office as the first cabinet minister for Children and Youth Affairs, a large amount of work has been carried out to get the wording of this referendum right.

"I would like to pay tribute to the huge effort played by the various children's advocacy groups, the wide range of sectoral groups, independent experts, parents groups, members of civic society and the many others who have been seeking this Constitutional change for years. Their input and support has been crucial. A large amount of important work was also carried out by many parliamentary colleagues in previous Oireachtas committees over the last number of years.

"The Irish people have voted in favour of giving children explicit Constitutional rights. But Constitutional change is only one part of this; the necessary legislation to bring effect to this change and the reform of our child protection services is equally important.

"The citizens have ensured, with their Yes vote, that greater protection will be given to children in this country. We have finally responded to fifty years of child protection failures by putting children at the centre of our Constitution. Today we have delivered a critical change for Irish children."

He also said: "The adoption of the children's amendment represents a successful end to a twenty year campaign to enshrine the rights of the child in our Constitution. It also represents a new beginning for children and child protection.

"It is incumbent now on us as a Government to follow through on this historic decision by giving practical effect to the children's amendment. This will include passing legislation to bring about equality in adoption law, enhancing child protection laws, the closure of St Patrick's Institution, and the reform our family courts, among other measures.

"I want to thank everyone who voted in the Referendum yesterday, especially those who voted in favour of the amendment. I particularly want to thank all of those who contributed to the Yes campaign, from Fine Gael, Young Fine Gael, the other political parties and the many NGOs who worked hard on getting this amendment through. You have made history.

"I also want to pay tribute to the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, and her team. They not only got the wording of the amendment right, they worked very hard on building a consensus among key stakeholders and influencers. Getting the support of these important groups avoided a divisive or contentious campaign.

"This is not the first Referendum in which the turnout was low, and many have been much tighter. In the fullness of time, few will remember the exact figures but history will record that on this day the Irish people decided to enshrine children's rights in our Constitution. We have drawn a line under the past and now we begin anew."

Tags: Children's Referendum

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