Vol. 547 No. 1
975 Mr. B. Hayes asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of unmarried fathers who have acquired guardianship rights by agreement with the mother of the child without going to court; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1971/02]
In accordance with section 2 of the Guardianship of Infants Act, 1964, as substituted by section 4 of the Children Act, 1997, a father can be appointed guardian of his child by agreement with the mother without going to court by making a statutory declaration in the prescribed form and fulfilling other conditions. This declaration is not lodged in court or elsewhere and, accordingly, the information sought by the Deputy is not available.
