Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 13 July 2023
553. Deputy Bernard J. Durkan asked the Minister for Justice if she has availed of the information available arising from a UN Special Rapporteur report which concluded that the condition known as parental alienation should be banned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [35555/23]
View answerAs the Deputy is aware, my Department recently published a policy paper and independent research report on the concept of parental alienation, including recommendations on how we can begin to address the matter, a link to both can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/20df3-parental-alienation-research-report-and-policy-paper/.
The policy paper puts forward six recommendations to address the issue of parental alienation. They centre on progressing elements of family justice reform, building the system’s capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. This is especially important in high-conflict cases, in which allegations of parental alienation can often arise.
My Department is currently leading on an ambitious programme of family justice reform, to make the Irish family justice system work better for everyone engaging with it, but particularly for those who need additional supports and protections, such as domestic violence victims or vulnerable parents and children. The publication last year of our first National Family Justice Strategy outlines over 50 actions aimed at building the system’s capacity to adequately hear the voice of children, and improve the knowledge, skills and experience of all those involved in order to make the best determinations in relation to each case on its own merits. The Strategy puts children at the centre of the system, and emphasises amongst other things the need to ensure they are listened to and heard and their views given due regard (in line with constitutional obligations and rights).
As work in this area progresses, the Report of the UN Special Rapporteur on Violence against Women and Girls, its Causes and Consequences, Reem Alsalem, which considers the abuse of the term parental alienation, and the deliberations of the United Nations Human Rights Council on the report in the coming months, will be fully considered.
