Niamh Smyth (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I hope that the review, negotiations and the work of the stakeholders involved will bear fruit for the parents who find themselves in acrimonious break-ups. I am delighted to hear that children will be first and centre in all of the mediations and discussions. As the Minister has quite rightly said, early intervention is key in preventing children from being isolated in the context of the wrongful influence of one parent against the other. I welcome the Minister's response and encourage her to move the process, engagement and round-table conversation with the stakeholders forward as quickly as possible. We must ensure that our family court services have the expertise at the table to deal with these situations and that the right supports are in place. Parents who are at the receiving end of parental alienation are undergoing untold mental health problems and supports must be put in place for them.

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