Ireland yesterday became one of the first countries in Europe to endorse the European Convention on the exercise of children's rights. The Taoiseach, Mr Bruton, who was in Strasbourg attending the Parliamentary Assembly of the Council of Europe, joined six other countries in signing the convention, writes Patrick Smyth.
The convention provides that the rights of children may be separately represented and their views heard in family proceedings before a court. The range of cases covered extends from issues of custody, access, residence, parentage, adoption, administration of property, guardians hip, protection from cruel treatment and medical treatment. Each state must specify at least three categories of case to which the convention shall apply.