The Constitution should be amended to ensure the courts can intervene more appropriately in cases where the welfare of a child is seriously at risk, an alliance of non-governmental organisations has said.
The recommendation is one of 14 principles contained in a position paper by the Children's Rights Alliance which was presented to the Government yesterday. The paper is the result of consultation among dozens of campaigning groups regarding the Taoiseach's announcement last November of plans to hold a referendum to strengthen children's rights.
The main principles reflect obligations arising from Ireland's decision to ratify the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The full report is available at www.childrensrights.ie
