Madam, - The UN Convention on the Rights of the Child was (purportedly) ratified to the UN in 1992 by former taoiseach and minister Charles Haughey and Ray Burke.
The Ombudsman for children, Emily Logan, has implied that this ratification is legal. If this is correct, then there is no need for a referendum.
What, then, is the purpose of the proposed "constitutional rewording" requiring such a referendum?
Is it, contrary to any intention that may be stated, to undermine, rather than to strengthen, the fundamental rights of the family, contained in Articles 41 & 42 of the Constitution? - Yours, etc,
DONAL O'DRISCOLL,
Dargle Road,
Blackrock,
Co Dublin.
Madam, - I don't always agree with John Waters but I fully agree with the views he expressed in his column (Nov 6th).
My own first reaction to the announcement that a referendum is to be held on the issue of children's rights is that this is going to be another referendum on the abortion issue.
Am I right or wrong? - Yours, etc,
NICK STRONG,
The Village,
Newbridge,
Co Kildare.