Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Specifically on the concept of parental alienation, the report clearly showed that where there is a system that does not work as effectively as it should and where the structures are not as effective as they could be, it allows the potential for abuse to continue and particular abuses to continue in respect of parental alienation, even into the courts. That is the finding from much of the research by the representative groups and from families who contributed to the specific report we did. The main recommendations are to improve the family justice system to make sure it works more effectively, that we have fewer people going to court, and that we have more mediation and better supports for families at earlier stages.

On the review and the various reports by experts that are being brought into the courts, we do not have a panel of experts or set criteria or qualifications. We have no way of having an overview of the system. The review and its recommendations will set out exactly how we make sure anybody who provides evidence to a court is adhering to strict criteria and is qualified, essentially, to do the job he or she has been asked to do.

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