Fitzgerald defies protestors with launch of UNICEF Children’s Referendum animation

The Minister for Children and Youth Affairs, Frances Fitzgerald TD, has denounced the aggressive behaviour of persons involved in a protest that prevented both herself and An Tánaiste, Eamon Gilmore, from launching a UNICEF Children’s Referendum Information Campaign in Ballyfermot this morning. The Minister and Tánaiste subsequently invited representatives of the young people to the Department of Foreign Affairs to present their work.

“It was very unfortunate that An Tánaiste and I were unable to attend the UNICEF Ireland launch in Ballyfermot this morning; but I am pleased that representatives of the children involved were able to come in to meet with us and show us their work.

“This morning was an entirely unpleasant and aggressive demonstration. For the Tánaiste and I, the number one priority was the safety of the eighty children inside the Base centre in Ballyfermot. We did not want the children drawn into the aggressive demonstration and for their safety we decided not to attend; and instead we invited representatives of the campaign to meet with us later in the day.

“The launch of UNICEF Ireland’s information campaign, ahead of the Children’s Referendum, was held in a child-focused centre and promoted the voice of children. Unfortunately, as a result of the adults protesting outside, An Tánaiste and I were not afforded the opportunity to hear what the children had to say and their event was totally disrupted. It is regrettable that such a positive event was overshadowed by such ugly and aggressive behaviour.

“I was delighted to representatives of the children afterwards in Iveagh House where we heard their presentations and watched UNICEF’s colourful animation explaining the referendum. Their vibrant campaign is hugely positive and I would encourage people to link-in with it and indeed to visit my Department’s own information website www.childrensreferendum.ie ,” concluded Minister Fitzgerald.

This morning in Ballyfermot, a group of protestors surrounded the car carrying both the Tánaiste and the Minister, egging it, rocking it from side to side and banging aggressively on its doors, bonnet and roof.

The UNICEF event, organised to launch their information campaign ‘It’s About You’, went ahead as planned, but neither the Tánaiste nor the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs could address the gathering of eighty children and young people.

Representatives of UNICEF, the schools who attended the event and members of the Base Youth Club in Ballyfermot were invited in to The Department of Foreign Affairs to meet the Tánaiste and Minister Fitzgerald later that day.