Vol. 428 No. 1
408 Mr. D. Ahern asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if in the White Paper on marital breakdown consideration was given to the problem of joint equal custody of children; the steps, if any, he proposes to take to redress this situation; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
While I am not clear what the Deputy may have in mind by his reference to "joint equal custody" of children, particularly in the context of marital breakdown where the spouses no longer live together, it is the case that the position of children where marriages do break down is fully considered in the White Paper.
The legal provisions in relation to the protection of and financial support for children together with the issues of custody and access to children by parents are outlined and no specific changes in relation to custody are proposed. However, if there is any specific aspect which the Deputy might feel should be brought to my attention — if needs be on a confidential basis — I would of course be prepared to consider it fully.
