Tánaiste Eamon Gilmore launched the Labour Party’s Yes campaign for the Children’s Referendum at the Merrion Hotel in Dublin yesterday, accompanied by Ella Hendron Kilcommons (6), who features in the party’s campaign video.
The Labour Party leader said the children’s rights referendum would make sure voices of children were heard in judicial cases affecting their future.
Mr Gilmore said the proposed amendment would also ensure the rights of children were included in the Constitution for the first time.
“This referendum gives us the opportunity to show children that we treat all children equally and that we cherish children and childhood,” Mr Gilmore said.
In the video, Ms Hendron Kilcommons says: “Big people have the opportunity to vote for little people who do not have a voice.”
Mr Gilmore said he thought it was appropriate that a child should deliver the message.
“This referendum is about giving a voice to children, making sure that the voices of children are heard in judicial cases that will affect their futures,” he said.
He said the proposed constitutional amendment, if passed, would result in the writing of “the rights of children into our constitution for the first time”.
