Minister Shatter effectively avoids the question. An unmarried father has NO RIGHTS. He has the right to apply for rights but the Court will allow him rights having regard to the childs "best interests". As there is no actual definition of a childs "best interests", it depends on the humor of the particular judge that the unmarried father happens to appear in front of.
I notice Minister Shatter has made no reference whatsoever to the Law Reform Commission recommendations referred to by Joan Burton at http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2012-01-26.989.0. Does that mean that automatic guardianship for unmarried fathers is dead in the water?
Cathal Garvey
Posted on 31 Jan 2012 1:56 am
Minister Shatter effectively avoids the question. An unmarried father has NO RIGHTS. He has the right to apply for rights but the Court will allow him rights having regard to the childs "best interests". As there is no actual definition of a childs "best interests", it depends on the humor of the particular judge that the unmarried father happens to appear in front of.
I notice Minister Shatter has made no reference whatsoever to the Law Reform Commission recommendations referred to by Joan Burton at http://www.kildarestreet.com/wrans/?id=2012-01-26.989.0. Does that mean that automatic guardianship for unmarried fathers is dead in the water?