CHILDREN'S RIGHTS:PRESIDENTIAL CANDIDATES called for the planned referendum on children's rights to be held soon during a debate organised by the charity Barnardos and hosted by broadcaster Olivia O'Leary in Dublin yesterday.
Independent candidate David Norris pointed out the presidential election was taking place on the same day as two referendums, one on judges’ pay and the other on powers for parliamentary committees. “But where is the referendum on children’s rights? I here today call on the Government to have the referendum to give us that central position in our Constitution for children, which we deserve,” he said.
Fine Gael candidate Gay Mitchell said he had spoken to his party colleague Minister for Children Frances Fitzgerald, who told him the referendum would take place next year. He said he understood Cabinet had discussed the draft wording for the referendum.
Independent candidate Mary Davis said the referendum was long overdue. Generations of Irish policymakers, with a small number of honourable exceptions, had turned a blind eye to the abuse of children.
Labour Party candidate Michael D Higgins called on young people to be active in “eliminating the scourge of homophobia from the schoolyard”. He said “powerful forces” which had opposed much of the “reforming legislation” he had been involved in still existed.
Sinn Féin candidate Martin McGuinness said as Minister for Education in the North he had listened to children and decided to abolish the 11-plus, one of the most unequal examinations the island of Ireland has ever seen”.
Independent candidate Seán Gallagher said he would visit every secondary school and speak to every student if elected president.
