In contrast to countries like Australia, which has a stated public policy of increasing cooperation between separated parents,our Law Reform Commision report "Legal Aspects of Family Relationships", which Minister Shatter is referring to above, recommends the complete abandonment of consultation between parents.
At section4.05 of he above report its states "The Commission recommends that a general statutory requirement to consult should not be included in legislation concerning parental responsibility."
Consultation between parents has been the cornerstone of guardianship law in Ireland for almost sixty years for the very good reason that every child needs and is entitled to input from both parents on all major decisions affecting them; as both parents are the natural born protectors of their children's welfare and are best positioned,equipped and most likely to do so over and above everybody else. In addition to the complete abandonment of consultation this report recommends that the custodial parent should be allowed make all decisions relating to the child unilaterally i.e. the mother in the vast majority of cases.
If these recommendations are implemented fathers, regardless of their marital status, will
no longer have any meaningful voice in shaping their children's lives; choice of school,religion, health care and where their child lives will be matters solely for deciding by the mother only. Natural justice and the rights of children will be absolutely torn asunder. This is nothing less than state demolition of fathers and their children.
John Don
Posted on 29 Oct 2011 10:30 pm
In contrast to countries like Australia, which has a stated public policy of increasing cooperation between separated parents,our Law Reform Commision report "Legal Aspects of Family Relationships", which Minister Shatter is referring to above, recommends the complete abandonment of consultation between parents.
At section4.05 of he above report its states "The Commission recommends that a general statutory requirement to consult should not be included in legislation concerning parental responsibility."
Consultation between parents has been the cornerstone of guardianship law in Ireland for almost sixty years for the very good reason that every child needs and is entitled to input from both parents on all major decisions affecting them; as both parents are the natural born protectors of their children's welfare and are best positioned,equipped and most likely to do so over and above everybody else. In addition to the complete abandonment of consultation this report recommends that the custodial parent should be allowed make all decisions relating to the child unilaterally i.e. the mother in the vast majority of cases.
If these recommendations are implemented fathers, regardless of their marital status, will
no longer have any meaningful voice in shaping their children's lives; choice of school,religion, health care and where their child lives will be matters solely for deciding by the mother only. Natural justice and the rights of children will be absolutely torn asunder. This is nothing less than state demolition of fathers and their children.