Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 September 2023
404. Deputy Bríd Smith asked the Minister for Justice further to Parliamentary Question No. 1391 of 27 July 2021, if she will provide an update on the parental alienation research mentioned; if she will clarify how far advanced the research is; when the results will be published, given the urgency and number of families affected; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [41133/23]
View answerAs the Deputy may be aware, my Department published a research report and policy paper on parental alienation on our website last May. A link to both can be found here: www.gov.ie/en/publication/20df3-parental-alienation-research-report-and-policy-paper/.
My officials also briefed Oireachtas members and stakeholder groups on the paper’s recommendations.
Both the paper and the report recognise that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept. While there is little concrete information on the exact extent of accusations of parental alienation within the Irish courts, the research report found that, similar to other courts internationally, there appears to be increasing claims of parental alienation in family law proceedings. It appears to arise particularly in custody and access disputes and in cases where allegations of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence feature.
Despite the highly contested nature of the concept, there was consensus in the public consultation that the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system. My Department is currently leading on an ambitious programme of family justice reform, including the implementation of the Family Justice Strategy and the progression of the Family Courts Bill 2022. 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).
Reflecting this, 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.
