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Local TD calls for children's
referendum
06.05.11
FIANNA Fáil children's
spokesperson Deputy Charlie McConalogue has repeated
his calls on the Minister for Children to commit to
a timeframe for the referendum on children’s rights.
The Donegal North East TD urged Minister Frances
Fitzgerald to use her attendance today at the Early
Childcare Conference in Ballybofey to commit to a
date for the vote.
“There is great concern that the important
legislation enshrining children’s rights in our
Constitution could be slipping down the new
government’s political agenda. "During an interview
with TV3’s Midweek programme last week, Minister
Fitzgerald refused to commit to any timeframe for
the children’s referendum and she poured cold water
on proposals to hold the vote on the same day as the
Presidential election," said Deputy McConalogue. |
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Donegal North East TD, Charlie
McConalogue. |
“I am deeply concerned
about the new government’s silence on this issue
since they took up office. Over the past number of
years in opposition, Fine Gael and Labour constantly
demanded an immediate date for the children’s
referendum. Both parties were completely preoccupied
with rushing the legislation before the people and
had no patience for the time that was needed to
ensure that the wording was safe and correct.
“But now that they are in government, Fine Gael and
Labour appear to be dodging the issue despite
Minister Fitzgerald having two agreed versions of
the wording on her desk," he added.
There is a widespread view that holding the
referendum on the same day as the Presidential
election is a sensible idea. Despite Fine Gael
agreeing with this during the general election
campaign, they are now preparing the ground for yet
another u-turn," he said. |
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