David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

It must be 20 years since I referred to the plight of single fathers for the first time in this House. I wish to do so again today, albeit in particularly tragic circumstances, that is, of a woman who was brought to hospital - I believe she was 39 weeks pregnant - in a state of cardiac arrest. Her baby daughter was delivered by Caesarean section but was severely brain-damaged and could not possibly survive without life support. Her mother had been nominated as the baby's next of kin and the family, including the biological father, agreed and were content that life support should be withdrawn to end the suffering of this poor unfortunate infant, yet the hospital was obliged to go before the High Court to get a judgment from Mr. Justice Nicholas Kearns. While it was a highly compassionate judgment, it indicates that the biological father had absolutely no rights when it came to the welfare of his own daughter. This is not acceptable and it is time that this House addressed the issue of the continuing and remaining discriminations against single fathers, in particular.

This has been going on for far too long. It should be addressed by law. It is a matter of human rights.