Minister denies putting children's rights vote 'on the long finger'

THE GOVERNMENT has not put the proposed referendum on children’s rights on the long finger, Minister for Children Barry Andrews told a joint Oireachtas committee yesterday.

Mr Andrews said the Coalition had not cooled on a constitutional amendment to protect children, but was engaging with various departments that could be affected by such a move to ensure it was done properly.

A wording for the referendum was agreed by a cross-party group last February

Mr Andrews said consideration was being given to complex issues such as the right of a child to care and protection, continuity of care, the right of a child to have a voice in legal and administrative proceedings, the State’s duty to defend the individual rights of citizens and issues around the deportation of foreign nationals.

He said senior officials had highlighted financial and legislative implications of the amendment’s wording, and further consideration was being given to the matter.

“I understand that the length of time that this process is taking is causing concern,” he told the Dáil committee on health and children.

“I can assure the committee that I will not put this on the long finger and will make sure any deliberations that are needed will take place as quickly as possible.”

Fine Gael spokesman on children Charlie Flanagan expressed disappointment at the delay. He called on Mr Andrews to clarify when the referendum would be held.