Cllr Keith Martin says "This referendum is a chance to insert the rights of children into the Constitution, and to provide for their safety and welfare. I would like to see a record turnout on Saturday to create a better Ireland for our children.
"There is too much wilfully misleading comment flying about on this issue. It is important to restate exactly what this referendum is about.
"First, it provides an explicit guarantee by the State to protect the rights of children.
"This amendment will ensure that the horrors inflicted on Irish Children in the past can never happen again. 17 reports in the last 30 years have all documented child protection failings. Many called for a change to the constitution as the basis of any meaningful reform in child protection. This change to our Constitution is necessary if we are to ensure that all children in Ireland are sufficiently protected by law.
"Secondly, it allows for adoption where it's in the best interests of the children, regardless of whether the parents are married or not.
"It will allow the almost 2000 children trapped in long term state care to be adopted and given a second chance at having a loving stable family.
"This amendment will allow for adoption in cases involving a child of married parents, only if the child has been in long-term state care and cannot successfully return to their birth family. Currently up to 2000 children in Ireland cannot be adopted because of the constitution.
"And finally it provides that the best interests and views of the child have to be taken into account when the court is making decisions in particular cases, such as separation proceedings.
"These are the issues people will be voting on this Saturday. A clear-minded and fair analysis calls for a resounding Yes vote. I urge people who are still undecided to sit down for just five minutes and have a look at the impartial information booklet that has been sent to every home by the Independent Referendum Commission.
"A record turn out and a YES vote will send out a clear message that we in Mayo are taking Children's rights seriously."
Keith Martin
086 0691182
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