Jillian van Turnhout (Independent)

Senator Bacik referred to the proposals for constitutional change, many of which I support. There has also been considerable discussion of the constitutional convention. However, we seem to have forgotten the need for a referendum on children's rights. I thank the large number of my colleagues who attended the briefing this morning by the Children's Rights Alliance on why we need an amendment to strengthen children's rights in the Constitution, which I organised. The Kilkenny incest report of 1993 and all the subsequent reports elicited phrases such as horror and shock but they also signposted the need to strengthen children's rights in the Constitution. Without a constitutional framework it will not be possible to make consistent judgments to uphold the best interests of children, hear their voices and treat them equally. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs to come before the House without delay. The clock is ticking. It is easy to say it will be done in the autumn but referendums take time to prepare. This is a referendum which has received all-party support but in order to maintain that support the Minister needs to show us her plans for the referendum, including the precise timeline, so that we can coalesce around it.

A particular issue arises for the approximately 2,000 children in long-term foster care who are not eligible for adoption at present because of the Constitution. When these children turn 18 and blow out their birthday candles, they blow out any right to be adopted. We can speak about theory and waiting to deal with a complex issue but children's lives are directly affected. It is a call to action and I ask the Minister to discuss it in this House. Over the past five years we have held five referendums. I fear that all the talk of new referendums will mean that children are once again being told to sit in the corner and wait their turn. That is no longer acceptable. On several occasions in recent months I have called for the Minister to come to the House to deal with a variety of issues. However, I put this issue at the top of my list and I ask that a date be arranged for a debate on it.