Youth Council welcomes Children and Family Relationships Bill

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) has welcomed the publication today (19.02.15) of the Children and Family Relationships Bill, which seeks to provide legal clarity for all families in terms of their parental rights and responsibilities. The organisation, which represents youth groups working with over 380,000 young people, said the Bill signalled  a long overdue modernisation of family law.Commenting on the publication of the Bill, Mary Cunningham, NYCI Director said: “NYCI welcomes the Children and Family Relationships Bill, as it puts children at the centre of family law reform. We wish the Government well in the progression of this important legislative development for Ireland’s children and families.

“In particular, NYCI supports the inclusion of the key principle, and definition of ‘best interests of the child’ as the paramount consideration in the resolution of disputes concerning the guardianship, custody of and access to children.

“NYCI also welcomes the importance given to the voice of the child in the Bill and the provision for mechanisms to ascertain the views of the child.

“We look forward to the forthcoming scrutiny and debate of this wide ranging Bill and hope that this legislation will contribute towards Ireland becoming a more equal place for all children and families,” concluded Ms Cunningham.

ENDS

For further information, please contact Daniel Meister, Communications Manager at NYCI on 087 781 4903 or 01 425 5955 or email communications@nyci.ie

Notes to Editors:

National Youth Council of Ireland

The National Youth Council of Ireland (NYCI) is a membership-led umbrella organisation that represents and supports the interests of voluntary youth organisations and uses its collective experience to act on issues that impact on young people.