Vol. 538 No. 5
145 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will take steps to improve the plight of fathers who feel their rights are not being upheld when they are separated from the mother of their child or children; if he will establish a child access agency as well as a forum on fathers' and men's entitlements in general; and if he will support the development of a council for men. [18342/01]
The Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, provides that, where in any court proceedings the custody, guardianship or upbringing of a child is in issue the court, in deciding that question, shall regard the welfare of the child as the first and paramount consideration.
This Act applies to guardianship and custody issues generally, including in the context of divorce and judicial separation and where the father and mother of a child are not married to each other.
I have no proposal for the establishment of the bodies referred to by the Deputy.
