Parental alienation in family law
Deputy Durkan condemned the use of parental alienation in family law as harmful to mothers and fathers and said urgent legislation was needed. The Tánaiste acknowledged the concern and said the main challenge was legislating within the separation of powers.
Once again I raise the continued persecution of many mothers and some fathers in the course of family law pursuits, in particular the use of the phrase "parental alienation" as a means of ensuring that only one side can win, which is a complete violation of the constitutional rights of mothers and fathers. The abuse continues apace, and I raise it once again because of the urgency of the situation. It cannot continue.
Comment on this
I appreciate the points the Deputy has made. I have come across a case or two as well in which some very surprising manifestations of what he has been articulating for quite some time have been very evident, so his points are well made and valid. The challenge is how, in the context of the separation of powers, one legislates and provides for matters of this kind.