Opening Statement – Joint Committee on Children and Equality

Opening Statement

Ombudsman for Children’s Office Youth Advisory Panel

Joint Committee on Children and Equality

Thursday, 8th October 2026

Chair, members of the Committee, thank you for inviting us here today.

We are members of the OCO Youth Advisory Panel. We come from different backgrounds and experiences, but we all believe that children’s rights matter and that they should be properly protected in Ireland.

We know that Ireland has made progress in protecting children’s rights, and there are already important laws in place. But there are still gaps. Our rights are protected in certain situations but not always in others. For example, our Constitution says that, in decisions about family matters such as custody, adults must think about what is best for the child. But this should be true whenever any decision is made that affects children. What is best for the child should also be one of the most important things adults think about in areas like healthcare, justice and immigration. That’s why we believe children’s rights should be protected consistently, no matter what issue is being decided.

This summer the OCO launched a campaign calling on the Government to incorporate the UNCRC into Irish law. We and our fellow Youth Advisory Panel members have helped shape that campaign and its slogan: “Follow through on 42”.

Under the UNCRC all children and young people are entitled to 42 different rights – regardless of their age, gender, race, religion, or background. These rights cover every part of our lives: from our education and healthcare to staying safe and having a say in decisions that affect us. When Ireland ratified the UNCRC in 1992, the State made a promise to protect and promote these 42 rights for all children and young people living in Ireland. More than thirty years later, we believe that now is the time to follow through on that promise by incorporating the UNCRC to give these 42 rights the strongest possible protection in Irish law.

While we are here to talk about the benefits of incorporation, we are also realistic. We understand that change takes time. As children’s rights expert, Bruce Adamson, has said, incorporation is a starting point that gives us vital tools – but it won’t solve every issue overnight. every issue overnight. It will not automatically reduce waiting lists for health services, it will not instantly end child poverty or homelessness, and it will not magically create school places where right now there are not enough.

What incorporation will do is create stronger legal protections so that thinking about children’s rights and listening to children’s voices is at the heart of decision-making across government and not just an afterthought.

One of the most important ways this could be done is through Child Rights Impact Assessments. Imagine that every time a new law was being prepared, decision-makers had to ask themselves: “How might this affect children’s rights?” Government departments and public bodies would start thinking about children’s rights before decisions were made, rather than when problems arise. ThisThis would allow them to change or adapt their plans to avoid any negative impacts on children’s rights. Eventually, Eventually, this would lead to better decision-making, better services and, most importantly, better outcomes for children.

Incorporation would also mean that decision-makers have to make sure that children’s voices are listened to on issues that affect them. We are already entitled to this right under Article 12 of theArticle 12 of the UNCRC . It UNCRC . It is true that organisations like Comhairle na nÓg and youth advisory panels like us already do a lot of good work to support this right. However, more can and should be done. Children’s involvement in decision-making shouldn’t depend on which department or service they happen to be dealing with. Having a law that makes sure decision-makers across government regularly consult with children would send a clear message that Ireland fully respects children’s right to be involved in decisions that affect them.

Finally, incorporation is about accountability. Rights are most powerful when they have strong protections in law. Incorporation would mean that public services could be held accountable for upholding children’s rights. They would have to show clearly how they considered children’s rights when making decisions and children or adults representing them would have more power to challenge decisions where their rights had not been respected.

Ireland already has a strong reputation as a country that values human rights. Incorporation will only strengthen that reputation. In 2024 our close neighbours in Scotland took the historic step to incorporate the UNCRC into their law. If this can be achieved in Scotland, why can we in Ireland not do the same? We have a chance to become a leader on children’s rights within Europe by sending a clear message that Ireland takes the rights of all children and young people seriously. But most importantly of all, by strengthening our law and decision-making, incorporation would bring realbring real benefits to the lives of children growing up here.

This is a unique opportunity for Ireland to build on its commitment to children’s rights by giving them the strongest possible protection in our law. law. Incorporating the UNCRC changes children’s rights from something government and public bodies should consider to something they have to consider.

Thank you, and we look forward to your questions.

• 8 October 2026