The Ombudsman for Children\u2019s Office has been calling for stronger protection for children\u2019s rights in the Irish Constitution since the Office was established almost 8 years ago. Today I am pleased that wording has been published and that a date has been set for the referendum. This represents a significant and positive step forward for children and families in Ireland.<\/p>\n
I congratulate the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs for bringing this proposal forward. The Ombudsman for Children\u2019s Office has provided advice on constitutional change to Ministers of Government and to the Oireachtas on four separate occasions since its first year of operation. The central message of these submissions has been the same: Ireland should enshrine key children\u2019s rights principles in the Constitution in order to underpin a fundamental shift in our law, policy and practice regarding children.<\/p>\n
I am mandated, under Section 7(1)(d)of the Ombudsman for Children Act, 2002, to promote awareness among members of the public of children\u2019s rights and welfare and how these rights can be enforced and I will continue to carry out these functions over the coming weeks.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"