Tanaiste Eamon Gilmore has said that if we pass the children’s right amendment we will be turning our back on a time when the State “kowtowed to Churches in respect of the care of children, to the detriment of children”.

He was speaking yesterday at the launch of Labour’s campaign in favour of the amendment.

Mr Gilmore added: “This will be a historic referendum. One that is informed by the bitter lessons of our past; and one that makes a clear statement about our future, our society, and the place of children in it.”

He claimed children were not included in the Constitution presently and said:  “It is our tragedy, as a nation, that some of the darkest moments in our history are a direct consequence of children’s interests, and children’s right to be cared for and protected, being ignored.”

Mr Gilmore continued:  “This referendum is our opportunity to right that wrong. To state clearly and unequivocally that we, the Irish people, value children and childhood.

“That we believe children have a right to be cared for and protected. That they should not be silenced or sidelined.”

However, contrary to Mr Gilmore’s claim, Article 42.5 of the Constitution expressly mentions the “natural and imprescriptible rights of the child”.

Meanwhile, a group called Parents for Children its campaign yesterday advocating a No vote.

Spokeswoman for the group, Maria Mhic Mheanmain, said: “We are opposed to removing the right of children to have their rights vindicated by their parents”, reports The Irish Times.