Statement: Senator Bacik welcomes result of Constitutional Convention vote on Economic Social and Cultural Rights
25 February 2014
Labour Seanad leader, spokesperson on Justice
Senator Bacik welcomes result of Constitutional Convention vote on Economic Social and Cultural Rights
Speaking as the leader of the Labour Party delegation to the Constitutional Convention, Senator Ivana Bacik today (25th February 2014) welcomed the result of the vote on the inclusion of Economic Social and Cultural rights in the Constitution, following the debate held over the last weekend of the Convention on 22-23 February.
Senator Bacik said:
“It has been a long-standing Labour policy that the protection of ESC (Economic, Social and Cultural) rights in the Constitution should be strengthened, and further justiciable ESC rights included. This would mean the inclusion of justiciable rights such as the right to healthcare, to social protection and to housing.”
“Along with the Labour delegation, I was really delighted that, following a comprehensive debate, the Convention voted by 85% for stronger protection of ESC rights in the Constitution; and a clear majority also voted to make those rights justiciable, so that citizens might take cases before the Courts where their rights have been breached. This is a truly historic result, and I call upon the Government to accept the recommendation of the Convention and hold a referendum on this issue.”
ENDS