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Having a say

13 – 17

years

old

What does this mean?

Jessica’s story

How is this right protected in Ireland?

Does every child in Ireland enjoy this right?

Debate it!

What does this mean?

It’s your right to express your views and for your views to be taken into account when decisions are being made that affect you.

This is what Article 12 of the UNCRC says.

This doesn’t mean adults have to do whatever you tell them! Adults also have to think about what is best for you.

As much as possible, adults should ask and consider your views when making decisions that affect you. This includes parents, teachers, youth workers and people with power, like the government or local authorities.

Jessica’s story

The county council were building a new youth centre for teenagers in my local area and they brought together all the young people in my estate to chat about what it might look like. We wanted it to be bright, colourful, with spaces to chill out and even a coffee machine! It was cool to see our vision come to life.

How is this right protected in Ireland?

The right to be heard is protected by Irish law, but only in some circumstances:

Article 42A

Article 42A of the Irish Constitution says that judges have to listen and take account of your views and opinions if you are in court.

Education Act 1998

Under the Education Act 1998, it’s your right to form a Student Council in secondary school and your school should support you in doing so.

The Child Care Act 1991 and the Children’s First Act 2015

The Child Care Act 1991 and the Children’s First Act 2015 both say that your wishes must be considered when decisions are made about your care.

Even though not every situation is protected by the law, and you can’t vote if you are under 18, children in Ireland should still get opportunities to take part in decisions that affect them, because we have promised to uphold the UNCRC.

The Government published the Participation of Children and Young People in Decision-Making Action Plan in 2024, to make sure that children have a voice in their communities, in education, in health care, in the courts, government and legal system.

Young people can share their opinion about topics that matter to them through groups like Comhairle na Nóg, Dáil na nÓg, the Irish Second Level Students’ Union (ISSU)and the National Youth Assembly.

Lots of organisations have Youth Advisory Panels (YAPs). We have one here in the OCO; our YAP tell us about what’s important to them in terms of our work and children’s rights.

Does every child in Ireland get this right?

Ireland is doing a lot to make sure that every child in Ireland has a say, but some children still feel that their voice is not being heard or that they haven’t truly been listened to. Unfortunately, this happens in settings where children are very vulnerable, like care, CAMHS, and the international protection system.

It’s hard to include every child in Ireland, especially children who speak different languages or communicate in different ways, who have a disability, or who are really young – but that doesn’t mean that we shouldn’t try!

Debate it!

Children shouldn’t have a say just for the sake of it. It should be meaningful.

How do we make sure this happens? Well, adults should help all children to have their voice heard, from the very beginning. This means talking to children in different ways and in a safe space that suits them. Adults have to make sure they listen properly to children and actually take their opinions into account. Children should know who is listening to them and what they can do for children. If they can’t act on the child’s opinion, they should let the child know why.

Do you think all youth participation in Ireland is meaningful?

Find out what you can do when you’re not getting your rights.