Minister Quinn unnecessarily confused matters by answering these two separate questions together.
Question 49 was in relation to parental rights for guardians acting jointly, regardless of whether they were living together or not whereas question 50 was specifically in relation to the rights of children whose parents are separated.
Regardless, the Ministers answer is in contrast to his answer when asked if he is considering issuing guidelines to schools regarding admissions policies in general (http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/05/12/00057.asp). The minister then replied that "I believe that it is time to take a fresh look at how primary legislation and regulation in this area could be developed in order to meet the needs of parents, pupils and schools in a more efficient and effective manner and moving on possible legislative and regulatory change is a clear priority for me this year".
It is interesting that the Minister added that "A qualification to that approach would arise where the best interest of the child required a different approach". It is important to note that according to the UNHCR, "there is no formalised procedure for determining or assessing the best interests of the children". http://www.unhcr.ie/180609.html.
This means that the "best interests of the child" is determined by each individual Board of Management without any guidance whatsoever.
Cathal Garvey
Posted on 12 Jun 2011 12:18 pm
Minister Quinn unnecessarily confused matters by answering these two separate questions together.
Question 49 was in relation to parental rights for guardians acting jointly, regardless of whether they were living together or not whereas question 50 was specifically in relation to the rights of children whose parents are separated.
Regardless, the Ministers answer is in contrast to his answer when asked if he is considering issuing guidelines to schools regarding admissions policies in general (http://debates.oireachtas.ie/dail/2011/05/12/00057.asp). The minister then replied that "I believe that it is time to take a fresh look at how primary legislation and regulation in this area could be developed in order to meet the needs of parents, pupils and schools in a more efficient and effective manner and moving on possible legislative and regulatory change is a clear priority for me this year".
It is interesting that the Minister added that "A qualification to that approach would arise where the best interest of the child required a different approach". It is important to note that according to the UNHCR, "there is no formalised procedure for determining or assessing the best interests of the children". http://www.unhcr.ie/180609.html.
This means that the "best interests of the child" is determined by each individual Board of Management without any guidance whatsoever.