Dear Editor,
Sara Phelan’s Opinion & Analysis piece on the 17th of April, “We’re heading for an unfair, elitist two-tier divorce system,” references the potential modifications to the structure of the family courts in Ireland. It’s of vital importance to make children’s wellbeing and their desires a primary focus.
At Barnardos, four out of every ten under our aid have parents who are separated. This constant state of discord often leaves lasting emotional scar on children, escalating from acute distress to a potential of long-term negative impacts.
Hearing these intricate, complex cases with the gravity they deserve necessitates enough time and the appropriate resources in court. It’s evident that existing processes fail to adequately consider children’s perspectives or offer optimal support services to them and their families.
Presently, a substantial number of children are left hanging, typically for over a year, in a state of great confusion related to their own custody decisions. Questions like where they will reside and with whom they’ll stay reflect crucial parts of their young lives.
It’s absolutely essential that intended alterations take place side by side with the provision of necessary services and additional resources. Failure to do so could inadvertently worsen an already challenging period in the lives of these children. Reformative moves must guarantee that paramount consideration and importance is given to children’s best interests in instances of parental separation.
Yours faithfully,
Suzanne Connolly
Chief Executive Officer,
Barnardos,
Dublin 8.