The constitutional
amendment will ensure all children in Ireland are treated equally under law,
the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs,  Frances Fitzgerald, has said.

Writing in
The Irish Times today she says the amendment will make it easier to adopt the
children of married parents.

She says: “At
present the laws relating to adoption are different depending on whether the
child is born ‘out of wedlock’ or not. That’s an anachronism left over from a
past century. All children should be equal.”

Ms
Fitzgerald also claims that the amendment is needed in order to allow the State
to intervene “when a child is being starved, beaten, or burned or physically or
sexually abused”.

She says
that the amendment is needed so that children “if they are mature enough,
should be able to express their views in legal proceedings that affect them”.

She writes:
“What this referendum does is draw a line in the sand. It allows us to say as a
nation that we believe children have rights, just like everyone else. It allows
us to set the legislature and judiciary on a different path than that which has
pertained for decades.”

Meanwhile
Taoiseach Enda Kenny has denied that the referendum will lead to ‘excessive’
State interference in family life.

He was
speaking at the launch of Fine Gael’s campaign for a Yes vote on November 10.

He said
vulnerable children would be “nourished and protected” by the proposals.