Children's Referendum (87)

If this happened in Ireland, this boy's so called 'family's' needs could have had priority..... over his need to be removed from the horrible life he would have been living. Only a yes vote will ensure other children suffering the same fate can be prioritised above the 'family' that is putting them at risk.

So much for trying to prompt a discussion or have we forgotten, in the remnants of a democracy that we live in, that there are two sides to this referendum?
There is a strong case argued on the fact that the exisitng article 42.5 grants sufficient power to the state, to intervene where the parents have persistantly failed in their responsibilties. There is a strong case thats says that this is "cart before the horse"...that whats needed is proper assessment, coorodination between the various agencies and investment in the actual support services.

As a parent of five children, I am slow to give up a right AND responsibility that I have at present...not until I am convinced that it is necessary.
So far in my research on the matter, All I have found to justify the change is a hazy refernece to the need for change in legislation, to facilitate the coordination of service agencies. And of course, in extreme and acute situations, the greater power awared to the state by the proposed 42a would mean a faster intervention. However , as we all know, extreme cases make poor law.
My other concern is the level to which the state and its agencies would be held accountable, under the new proposal?

So, no its no scaremongering....just tryin to get people thinking about what it is theyre voting on next month.

Au contraire, mon ami! The state has an appalling record where it has taken on "parental" responsibilties! Yes of course, children coming from difficult, problematic backrounds will have extraordinary needs. So all the more reason that we need to know that if children are to be removed from the family, that they are going to be looked after properly AND that the state and its agencies that would assume that role, would be held accountable..as the parents would be in the first instance. The new proposal does not cover this accountabilty?

But it didn't happen in Ireland. It happened in England where social workers are paid a bonus if their district grabs it's quota of children for adoption. I'm not saying it couldn't happen here because our social workers are just as useless as they are in England but if we want to help children we need to reform the system, not give it more power.