Ms Fiona Duffy:

Yes. He has to consent. If he does not consent to it he has to set out why he does not do so. I have often thought that if it were a matter that were to appear before the Irish courts, I am sure the courts would look at the involvement which the second parent has had in the upbringing of the children or child. I would find it difficult to imagine that an Irish court might not give the second parent rights in relation to the child, whether they are custody rights or whatever, even though he or she is not a parent.