Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 64:

In page 44, between lines 16 and 17, to insert the following:

"Declaration that person is guardian6F. (1) A person specified in subsection (2) may apply to the court for a declaration under this section that a person named in the application is or is not a guardian by virtue of the circumstances set out in section 2(4A) or 6B(3) of a child named in the application (in this section referred to as the ‘child concerned’).

(2) An application for a declaration under this section may be made, in relation to a child concerned, by—

(a) a guardian of the child concerned, or

(b) a person seeking a declaration that he or she is or is not a guardian by virtue of the circumstances set out in section 2(4A) or 6B(3) of the child concerned.

(3) An application for a declaration under this section shall not be made in relation to a child concerned other than—

(a) where the application is made by a person referred to in subsection (2)(a), on notice to each other guardian of the child and the person named in the application in relation to whom the declaration is sought, and

(b) where the application is made by a person referred to in subsection (2)(b), on notice to each guardian of the child.

(4) The court may direct that notice of any application for a declaration under this section shall be given to such other persons as the court thinks fit and where notice is so given or where notice is given under subsection (3) to any person the court may, either of its own motion or on the application of that person or any party to the proceedings, order that that person shall be added as a party to those proceedings.

(5) Where on an application for a declaration under this section it is proved on the balance of probabilities that a person named in the application is or is not a guardian by virtue of the circumstances set out in section 2(4A) or 6B(3) of the child concerned, the court shall make the declaration accordingly.".".

See this speech in context