Here you will find all of the information that you need on our campaign to strengthen children’s rights in the Constitution.  You can also go to the 'Irish Constitution' section of Resources, for a comprehensive listing of all our publications and press releases in recent years. Click here.

Strengthening children’s rights in the Constitution has been a long-standing goal and key policy priority for the Children’s Rights Alliance.  And the need for reform continues to be raised by the legal profession, academics and others working professionally with children, non-governmental organisations and all political parties.

Strengthening children’s rights in the Constitution will make a real difference to children and families.  Constitutional reform would provide increased protection for children under the Constitution; it would:

1. Ensure all children will be treated equally, regardless of whether their parents are married or not.
2. Give children individual rights within the Constitution and would allow the courts to make decisions that are the child’s best interest.
3. Ensure that hundreds of children, currently living in limbo, will be able to be adopted by loving foster families, many of whom are blood relatives.  
4. Put down an invaluable marker reflecting the values of Irish society, which will serve as the foundation stone for making Ireland one of the best places in the world to be a child.

And there is international support for change.  The UN Committee on the Rights of the Child examines progress of countries that have ratified the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.  In relation to Ireland, it has recommended that children’s rights be strengthened in our Constitution – the highest law of the land.

Currently, we are waiting for the Fine Gael and Labour Government to publish their wording for a constitutional amendment and set a date for a referendum in 2012 to allow us the opportunity to say, through the ballot, that each and every childhood counts in Ireland.

Read more: Alliance Booklet: The Irish Constitution and Strengthening Children's Rights