MINISTER FOR CHILDREN DENIES A ‘YES’ VOTE WILL TAKE AWAY PARENTAL RIGHTS

For further information:

Sharon McHugh
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+3531 419 3430 / 087 922 4143
sharon.mchugh@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie

Ciara Byrne
+353 1 419 3329 / 087 3199732
ciara.byrne@tv3.ie

TV3 GROUP RELEASE
IMMEDIATE: Wednesday 31st October 2012
 

•‘Yes’ and ‘No’ sides clash, in what has been an extremely lively and passionate Children’s Referendum Debate

• Frances Fitzgerald TD denies that this constitutional amendment will give the state more power

• John Waters said: “The constitution should not be dismantled in order to compensate for the failures of social workers”

• The Children's Referendum Debate with Vincent Browne airs tonight at 10pm on TV3

Vincent Browne hosts a four way debate on the forthcoming Children’s Referendum on TV3, which will be a first for Irish television.

In what has been an extremely lively and passionate debate, The Minister for Children, Frances Fitzgerald TD was joined in advocating a “Yes” vote by the Chief Executive of Barnardo’s, Fergus Finlay. Those arguing in the TV3 debate against the proposed amendment to the constitution included author and columnist, John Waters and former Independent Munster MEP Kathy Sinnott.

Frances Fitzgerald TD denies that this constitutional amendment will give the state more power saying: “Can I say this is not about giving the state more power, this is not about taking away the rights of the parents, what it is doing is putting a greater emphasis on the child and it’s very important for us to say, not one word has been changed in article 41 or 42”

John Waters said: “The constitution should not be dismantled in order to compensate for the failures of social workers.”

ENDS

The Children's Referendum Debate with Vincent Browne airs tonight at 10pm on TV3


For further information:
Maureen Catterson/ Ciara Byrne
TV3 PRESS OFFICE
+353 1 419 3430/ 329
+353 87 7800 737/ +353 87 319 9732
Maureen.catterson@tv3.ie
Ciara.byrne@tv3.ie
publicity@tv3.ie
www.tv3.ie