RCNI Press Release 31 January 2008
Children’s Referendum: RCNI confident all-party agreement can be achieved
Rape Crisis Network Ireland (RCNI) today submitted its report to the Joint Committee on the Constitutional Amendment on Children.
Fiona Neary, RCNI executive Director said, ‘today we repeat our support for the important work of this Committee and call for members to remain fully committed to reaching all-party agreement. The government have made all-party agreement a condition for putting this referendum to the people. We are confident this that can be achieved to everyone’s satisfaction by the March 31st deadline. After that there can then be no more excuses delaying this referendum further.’
Clíona Saidléar, Policy and Communications Coordinator said, ‘the RCNI continue to call for absolute liability in statutory rape cases and for the sharing of soft information to monitor those who are known to be a danger to children. We are also aware of people’s concerns around these clauses. We have made a number of recommendations about the wording to ensure that only the most necessary enabling powers are given to the government. We believe we can all remain secure that what is being asked of us is reasonable and specific to achieving adequate standards of child protection.
‘In our submission we have also explored key points about the laws the government would potentially enact after a successful referendum. We feel it will be useful for people to explore these to better understand the referendum itself.’
The RCNI submission is available online on www.rcni.ie under publications
For information please ring
Clíona Saidléar
087 219 6447
Fiona Neary, RCNI executive Director said, ‘today we repeat our support for the important work of this Committee and call for members to remain fully committed to reaching all-party agreement. The government have made all-party agreement a condition for putting this referendum to the people. We are confident this that can be achieved to everyone’s satisfaction by the March 31st deadline. After that there can then be no more excuses delaying this referendum further.’
Clíona Saidléar, Policy and Communications Coordinator said, ‘the RCNI continue to call for absolute liability in statutory rape cases and for the sharing of soft information to monitor those who are known to be a danger to children. We are also aware of people’s concerns around these clauses. We have made a number of recommendations about the wording to ensure that only the most necessary enabling powers are given to the government. We believe we can all remain secure that what is being asked of us is reasonable and specific to achieving adequate standards of child protection.
‘In our submission we have also explored key points about the laws the government would potentially enact after a successful referendum. We feel it will be useful for people to explore these to better understand the referendum itself.’
The RCNI submission is available online on www.rcni.ie under publications
For information please ring
Clíona Saidléar
087 219 6447
Rape Crisis Network Ireland, The Halls, Quay Street, 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
