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Durham European Law Institute

Publications

Publication details

Nolan, A. (2007). Battle(s) over Children’s Rights and the Irish Constitution. Irish Political Studies 22(4): 495–516

Author(s) from Durham

  • Dr Aoife Nolan

Abstract

The paper centres on the battle(s) that have been, and are being, fought over children's rights under the Irish Constitution. The author assesses whether the Irish Constitution, as it stands, qualifies as a ‘children's rights constitution’ under which children are afforded special recognition in terms of their rights rather than their welfare. The likelihood that any constitutional amendment proposed in the near future will succeed in bringing the Irish Constitution into the ‘children's rights’ category of constitution, is considered. The author addresses both the issue of the alleged desirability of a ‘children's rights constitution’ and the extent to which the Irish Constitution (or any constitution, in fact) can and should protect the various rights and interests of children.

Notes

Special Issue: Recognition, Equality and Democracy: Normative Perspectives on Irish Politics.

Durham European Law Institute