Speaking ahead of the All Island Civic Dialogue on Brexit, the Ombudsman for Children, Dr. Niall Muldoon, highlighted the importance of hearing the voice of the child and considering children\u2019s rights at all stages of negotiations.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s difficult to find an EU law or policy that does not affect children\u2019s rights.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren and young people, who make up one fifth of the EU population, and who had no say whatsoever in the vote on Brexit, will be most affected by the outcome of the negotiations that will take place. It is vital that they be considered at all stages of the process.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrexit will have a major impact on immigration, the laws governing asylum and child trafficking. It will change the education opportunities available to our young people and it will affect financial supports for Irish children in the UK and for UK children living in Europe.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe do not know what impact Brexit will have on children and young people in border counties who have been benefiting from cross-border integration programmes. We do not know what will happen to the Cross Border Directive which sees many of sick Irish children travel to Belfast, London or other parts of the UK every year. We do not know what will happen to the children of separated parents who are living on different sides of the border and we do not know what weight judicial rulings made in the UK will have here, and vice versa.<\/p>\n
\u201cBrexit presents many unanswered questions and significant challenges for children and young people in Europe and in the UK.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must ensure that plans to deal with Brexit, are not only focused on free movement for trade and enterprise purposes, but that the rights and welfare of children are forefront in our minds at all stages and in relation to every policy or proposed change.<\/p>\n
\u201cChildren and young people had no say in the outcome of the referendum on Brexit, but they must be heard and represented as the UK begins the process of exiting the EU.<\/p>\n