RCNI Press Release 21 February 2007
There would be nothing rushed about this much anticipated referendum
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today strongly rejected suggestions that the referendum was being rushed. It is worth reminding the general public that they have been involved in public debate on these issues for many years.
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘it is being suggested to the public that the issues in this referendum are new to them and complicated. This is simply not so. The public will have the opportunity to realise this for themselves once the focus is on what is actually being asked of them in the referendum rather than what is not in the referendum and what might have been.
‘The RCNI are clear that the public must and should be fully informed about the issues before being asked to decide. We see no reason why the public should fear being in the dark. The changes are not complex and they are not new to them. The public are not being rushed into this referendum. They are well prepared for it and will have plenty of time to re-familiarise themselves and gain any further information necessary over the next six weeks of the debate were the government to name a date prior to the election.
‘This message is important because the RCNI remain convinced of the urgency for this referendum. Every day that passes, without strict liability and with an inadequate vetting system puts more and more children at risk.
‘Let us look at what we do know.
‘The fact is, since May of last year, we have been debating issues around strict liability arising out of the CC case, publicly, at expert level and within the Dáil. Just today we hear Mr CC, made infamous in May 2006, failed to appear in court for a hearing regarding the charge of sexual assault. Speaking on the 20th of February, Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny told delegates ‘you are more than familiar with the background to the sexual predators' issue’.
‘As for soft information who can forget the furore over the Holly and Jessica case when it became clear Ian Huntley could have been stopped had there been the effective exchange of soft information? Since then the issue of soft information has rarely been off the agenda. The Ferns Report called for this provision back in 2005. The Irish Government has established a memorandum with authorities in Northern Ireland to share information to curb sex offender tourism. In fact Fine Gael have long been debating this issue. Back in November 2003 Fine Gael‘s Keeping Children Safe which details soft information sharing was prepared and launched. They continue to promote it in this election campaign. ‘
‘On the changes dealing with custody, adoption and children’s rights the majority of Children’s Rights groups inform us that the history of public debate on these issues is even longer. These issues in the referendum are specific and we believe can be satisfactorily explained and explored in the period of time before the election.’
Notes:
The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information please contact:
Fiona Neary 087 2222009
END
Fiona Neary, RCNI Executive Director said, ‘it is being suggested to the public that the issues in this referendum are new to them and complicated. This is simply not so. The public will have the opportunity to realise this for themselves once the focus is on what is actually being asked of them in the referendum rather than what is not in the referendum and what might have been.
‘The RCNI are clear that the public must and should be fully informed about the issues before being asked to decide. We see no reason why the public should fear being in the dark. The changes are not complex and they are not new to them. The public are not being rushed into this referendum. They are well prepared for it and will have plenty of time to re-familiarise themselves and gain any further information necessary over the next six weeks of the debate were the government to name a date prior to the election.
‘This message is important because the RCNI remain convinced of the urgency for this referendum. Every day that passes, without strict liability and with an inadequate vetting system puts more and more children at risk.
‘Let us look at what we do know.
‘The fact is, since May of last year, we have been debating issues around strict liability arising out of the CC case, publicly, at expert level and within the Dáil. Just today we hear Mr CC, made infamous in May 2006, failed to appear in court for a hearing regarding the charge of sexual assault. Speaking on the 20th of February, Fine Gael’s Enda Kenny told delegates ‘you are more than familiar with the background to the sexual predators' issue’.
‘As for soft information who can forget the furore over the Holly and Jessica case when it became clear Ian Huntley could have been stopped had there been the effective exchange of soft information? Since then the issue of soft information has rarely been off the agenda. The Ferns Report called for this provision back in 2005. The Irish Government has established a memorandum with authorities in Northern Ireland to share information to curb sex offender tourism. In fact Fine Gael have long been debating this issue. Back in November 2003 Fine Gael‘s Keeping Children Safe which details soft information sharing was prepared and launched. They continue to promote it in this election campaign. ‘
‘On the changes dealing with custody, adoption and children’s rights the majority of Children’s Rights groups inform us that the history of public debate on these issues is even longer. These issues in the referendum are specific and we believe can be satisfactorily explained and explored in the period of time before the election.’
Notes:
The RCNI is the national forum of Rape Crisis Centres, which provides a strong voice for survivors and is a catalyst for social change to end rape and all forms of sexual violence.
For information please contact:
Fiona Neary 087 2222009
END
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, 4 Prospect Hill, Galway, Ireland
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
091 563676
091 563677
Registered in Dublin, Ireland Company Reg.: 363350 Charity No.: 13236
