D. Skelly Model Parliament Forum: Party X, Y and Independents.

11/13/2012

As explained and demonstrated in class you are required to post your position (12 lines max.) either in favour (Party X) or against (Party Y) the Thirty-First Amendment to the Constitution Childrens Bill 2012. The Independents can position themselves either way.
All students must have their position and reason(s) why posted no later than Monday November 19 2012 in preparation for our Model Parliament class debate on December 4 2012. Please ensure that you have your badges made and with you on that day. I am looking forward to reading what you all have to say.

13 Comments

Sinead Carruth (Party X)

11/18/2012 15:08:34

I am in favour of the Childrens Bill, The reason why i am in favour of this bill is to stop child abuse and discrimination against children. 1500 children have been abused in their 'family home' in 2011. This number has increased a lot in the last year or two. Suicide rates in teenagers since 2009 has hit the scales.... Ireland is in the top 40 countries with the highest suicide deaths in the world. Approximately 1 out of 4 children have been abused in their homes. I think that this information shows the Government that there needs to be more control over children in this country. In the courts situation more than half the children are not asked their opinion in adoption cases. Every child should have their opinion and questions in any case situation. Each and every child should be brought up in a caring and loving family home!

Nicole Fitzpatrick (Party X)

11/19/2012 03:46:28

I believe the children’s referendum bill should be supported for a number of reasons.

1. Without this referendum, the constitution of Ireland is not strong enough to protect the rights of all children. This is because our constitution made parents the first right of access to their children, so that many children couldn’t be adopted as long as their parents wouldn’t be alive.

2. If you vote yes, all children with get the same protection from the state, regardless of their age, religion, wealth etc, because children’s rights will be printed in the constitution. This will make it illegal for any adult in charge of children to hide neglect or abuse.

3. With this referendum, when a decision is made about a child it will be in the best interests of that child. Children will have the right to be heard when decisions are made about them.

So, if you believe in protecting the rights of children, it is clear that you should vote yes.

Samantha Reid- Independent, opposing

11/19/2012 09:56:08

I believe that people should not vote to change the constitution for the following reasons: In the past when the government was supposedly 'caring' for our children, thousands suffered emotional, physical and even sexual abuse at the hands of the state so I do not think they are fit to look after our children properly. It also says that 'Provisions shall be made by law for the adoption of any child where the parents have failed by law their duty to the child'', I feel like this is a very broad statement and that it is not clearly stated what exactly 'failing' a child would be. In regards to the amendment as a whole I don't think it is actually needed, and it just gives the government more control over our children and our lives.

Rachel Murphy ( party y)

11/19/2012 10:54:13

If i was to vote for the children’s referendum i would vote No.
These are my reasons:
In the new article for the children’s rights it states that all children will have a chance to grow up in a loving and stable family. If the state were to take children of their biological families to be put into state care because their parents couldn’t take care of them properly but is unclear of what is improper care is and to be cared for by the state and grow up in a loving and stable family where is the family coming from?
Also in article 42A it says that by law any child in which their parents have failed for such a period to care for the child can by law be adopted but only in the best interest of the child. In this statement it doesn’t say if the child has a say if they are of a certain age. Also in this case when a child is taken from the parent, the parent may see sense after the child has been taken. For example the parent may have a drug or alcohol problem, after the child has been taken from them they may look to seek help for their problem. If the child has been adopted in this time the parent can’t have a second chance with their child.

Gemma Grant- Party X

11/19/2012 11:18:10

I believe that the Children's Referendum should be supported and approved because the whole point of the referendum is to change the rights of the children, for the better. I don't see the problem with this reason because even if one child is saved from abuse or any kind of suffering, it would be worth it. I also believe it should be approved because the government would have sufficient reason for taking a child away from their parent, for example, if the parent took drugs or was not in a fit state to take care of a child. I believe that any rule that protects the children of Ireland and makes them safer should be approved. And i should add that any changes to the Constitution will always be a positive choice.

Aoife Flanagan - Party X

11/19/2012 11:52:29

I believe the Childrens Referendum should be passed because it adds to the rights already provided by the state to the child. The new article states that if any parent regardless to their marital status fails in their duty as a parent to such an extent that the child is put in any danger or their welfare affected the state can take the child out of that environment. The bill also states that if the child is capable of forming their own views depending on the age and maturity level of the child those views will be heard and given due weight.
I believe if this article is passed it would also be a statement signifying that Ireland has moved on from its past history of child abuse and prove that the state is now trying its best to not only correct but improved the rights of the child.

Aisling Réau (party Y)

11/19/2012 12:03:32

I believe that people should oppose the children's referendum bill for the following reasons: "Best interests" of children will be handed over to the states. Children can be placed for adoption against their parents will. A parent does not have to be accused or convicted of any crime. If the referendum is passed, every child, particularly children of deserted, separated, divorced or unmarried parents but also married parents, will be in grave danger of being legally taken away by the State and adopted inside or outside of Ireland. The decision can be made by only one person. The UN and EU can make laws for children without the consent of the Irish Government if it wishes.
The State will have the power to do anything it wants to any child if the Referendum passes.

Kellie McGhee - Independant Party Y

11/19/2012 12:06:12

I believe the Children's Referendum Bill 2012 should be opposed because of many reasons. One of the reasons I believe it should be opposed is because in the new article in the Constitution it suggests that this should encourage the State to intervene earlier in families that are struggling to offer their child support and to protect them. The State are then allowed to put the child in State care regardless of if that is what the parents want. I disagree with this because there are many cases where children have not been protected in State care and have been abused mentally, physically and sexually. Also, it did not state how bad things had to be before a child was taken off their parent and put in State care.

Becky Kearney(Party Y)

11/19/2012 12:50:07

There is many reasons that i think that the Children's referendum bills should not have been passed . One of my main points of argument is that the "no" vote was not advertised anywhere unlike the"Yes" vote as there were posters around the streets of Ireland . Not only is this an unfair campaign the information leaflets were very complex and hard to understand therefor the low turn out could have been predicted and I personally believe the lack of understanding is why the public voted yes to this bill. I think that there is already protection for children in the constitution as children fall under the bracket of humans. I think that this bill was giving more control to a government that is already failing to protect children in care of the state.

Erica Kelly

11/19/2012 13:21:02

I believe that people should of voted yes to the referendum , as the best interest of the child is strenghtened then. It reconizes the importance of childhood which wasn't in the past. It makes all our children important in the eyes of the law and it protects children from mental and physical abuse. Children will have the right to have their voices heard when decisions are being made about them as they are people too and deserve to be heard. This also gives children the right to be brought up in a loving and stable family which is vital for a child when growing up. All children deserve the same protection from the state.. From my research i have found most voluntary children campaigns for example "Barnardos" are encouraging to vote yes , this shows that they to believe the best interest of the child is the most important !

sarah byrne -independant, opposing link

11/19/2012 16:11:34

i don't think they should change the constitution because i think there just putting more power into the governments hands. there is already a human rights act and children would come under that. i think before they go changing the children bill they need to take a look at the HSE , many children under the care of the government have died, so why should we let them take care of more children ? the Government used the tax payers money to fund campaigns for a yes vote just by that you can see that there's something not right there, why would they try to hide it from us ? i personally think that they should take children view on the referendum into consideration the vote is for them so i think they should also get their say. the new bill is not very clear and does not give as much detail as is needed. just because a parent doesn't have that much money and their child doesn't have everything doesn't mean their not a happy child , the government can go in any take the child for adoption without any say from the parents at all, i think this act is unfair and that there are more important things to be taking care of and that's why i think it should be opposed

Lara Alagha (Party Y)

11/20/2012 11:22:04

I am against the children's referendum firstly because it is not a children's referendum as children do not have any say in what happens. I believe that the Government is already corrupt and will not be able to budget all these new changes of speeding up the adoption system, Even if it does it will be the citizens who pay tax that will be paying for all these expenses to come. I believe the Government should look after the state they're in before dragging children in with them.

Katie Mahon (Party Y)

11/20/2012 11:23:04

I believe the children's referendum bill 2012 should be opposed for the following reasons; our constitution as it stands protects the rights of each individual including children. It is the fault of the government and legal system who have not enforced the constitution and legislation to take care of vulnerable children. There are many cases of children being abused physically, mentally, emotionally and sexually. The state has never enforced the constitution to help these children!
The new legislation will take parental power from parents.
For the new legislation to be enforced there must be proper facilities and help available to these vulnerable children. In this recession, where budgets are taken money out of education, health and career's pockets, how can necessary facilities be provided?
In my opinion the constitution was perfect as it was but it was the government who has failed to protect the safety of children!

D. Skelly Model Parliament Forum: Party X, Y and Independents.

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