Published: Wednesday, 14th July, 2010 5:30pm

O'Rourke welcomes Ombudsman's comments on children's rights

Local Fianna Fáil Deputy Mary O'Rourke has yesterday (Tuesday) welcomed comments from Ombudsman for Children Emily Logan who said there was an urgent need for constitutional change on the rights of the child.

The Ombudsman made her comments as she launched her annual report for 2009 yesterday. She said constitutional change to put the needs of the child first is needed.

Ms Logan added that the ease with which people who are not socially powerful can be violated needed to be addressed.

"'I remain convinced that constitutional change is required to ensure that any new legislation puts the interests of children first," said Ms Logan.

Deputy O'Rourke, who chaired the Joint Oireachtas Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children, yesterday said: "I welcome Emily Logan's report and what she said. She is a really good advocate for children." Deputy O'Rourke said she has had no word yet on when the referendum on children's rights will be held, but she is still hopeful it will be held this year.

She added that she will be speaking at the MacGill School next week on the issue and she hoped to find out what the position was on the referendum shortly.

Deputy O'Rourke said that while there is much in the news at present about the bye elections, she felt the referendum on children's rights was far more important and she hoped the referendum would be held separately to any other votes.

"I think this is far more important than bye elections. I would prefer if it would go on its own," she said.