Sir, - The recent Supreme Court decision in the Sinnott case highlights the lack of constitutional and legislative protection for vulnerable individuals in Irish society.
Children and other vulnerable individuals require positive protection that is not afforded by the Constitution. The Kilkenny Incest Investigation Report, chaired by Mrs Justice Catherine McGuinness, proposed an amendment to Article 41 of the Constitution to include a Character of Children's Rights.
A recent report by the Guardian Ad Litem Group contains an analysis of the current position of children's rights in the context of family law and childcare proceedings. It also recommends amendment to the Constitution to ensure the welfare of the child is the paramount consideration in all such cases.
It is time for our legislators to consider a positive charter of rights for children and other vulnerable individuals within a constitutional framework. Plugging holes in a system that has time and time again failed such individuals is not a solution.
It is time for a serious debate to commence and for Irish leaders to embrace positive change instead of engaging in a reactive denial of rights with which we are all too familiar. I recommend to your readers the World Congress on Family Law and the Rights of Children and Youth to be held in Bath on September 19th-22nd (website: www.lawrights.asn.au).
This conference will bring together lawyers, associated professional groups and other interested parties in a co-operative effort to provide assistance for children through legal advocacy, advocacy of policy, legislative change and education.
Mrs Mary Robinson will give the opening message and the panel includes distinguished speakers from around the globe.
The congress will include papers on issues of relevance to children such as prevention of violence against children, international maintenance and child support, emancipation of disabled children, and the rights of children and cultural diversity.
The International Childrens' Rights Protection Network (ICRPN) will be inaugurated at the congress. The ICRPN will be a permanent, professionally managed organisation established under the auspices of the World Congress to actively pursue its goals.
At its meeting in Bath the World Congress plans to establish a series of ICRPN national advisory boards which are to meet regularly to develop policies and recommend and if approved implement action at national, regional and international level.
It is hoped that as many countries as possible will be able to announce the establishment of national advisory boards as founder members of the ICRPN. - Yours, etc.,
Jennifer O'Brien, Nurney Lodge, Shanganagh Road, Co Dublin.