Constitutional Protection of Economic, Social and Cultural Rights

New RED C Poll for Amnesty International shows strong support for Constitutional protection of additional human rights

71% believe that the constitution should be amended to protect additional human rights like the right to health, housing and an adequate standard of living

81% support decision-making and expenditure based on the additional human rights of health, housing and an adequate standard of living

83% believe Government must show that it is spending our money it is delivering on human rights like health, housing and adequate standard of living

71% believe we should be able to hold Government to account for human rights failures, like health, housing and adequate standard of living, including taking it to court as a last resort.

Polling carried out in advance of this month’s Constitutional Convention examination of economic, social and cultural rights shows significant level of support for further constitutional protection of human rights.

Colm O’Gorman, Executive Director of Amnesty International Ireland, said:

“The list of rights protected in our Constitution is incomplete. Public support once again affirms the need to place fundamental human rights, like the right to health and to an adequate standard of living, into our Constitution.

“In a post-bailout Ireland, we really do need to think anew about how decisions are made at the political level. We need a constitutional framework that requires good governance and better decision-making. We also need to strengthen accountability mechanisms for when Governments makes a bad decision, one that fails to properly consider and respect the human rights of people in Ireland.”

There is a clear desire that the international human rights commitments with regard to the right to health, housing and adequate standard of living, to which successive Irish Governments have voluntarily signed up must be the basis upon which Government makes decisions and spends our money.
“In advance of the Constitutional Convention examination of these issues, this polling clearly shows the public appetite for real and meaningful reform and for our Constitution to address the human rights issues currently faced by people in Ireland.”

Additional Information

Omnibus Survey polling carried out by RED C, on behalf of Amnesty International, on week commencing 3 February, tested public levels of support for constitutional provision for economic, social and cultural rights, the application of these rights to decision-making and resource allocation, and access to justice.

Results as follows:

Currently, the Irish constitution sets out a number of fundamental human rights including right to life, equality before the law, right to a fair trial, right to liberty, the right to freedom of expression, assembly and association and the protection of the family. 

Q.1         On a scale of 1 to 5 with 5 being strongly agree and 1 being strongly disagree, can you tell me to what extent, if at all you agree or disagree with the following statements:

The Constitutional Convention, charged by the Government to examine areas of constitutional reform, will examine economic, social and cultural rights on 22 and 23 February. Information can be found at www.constitution.ie

Find out more about our work on the Constitutional Convention at www.amnesty.ie/constitution