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UN questions Irish family courts over 'concept of parental alienation'
Ireland has been asked to respond to the UN on why "the concept of parental alienation" is being considered by the family law courts.
Parental alienation is typically used to describe a situation where one parent wrongfully influences a child or children to turn against the other parent, usually in situations of relationship breakdown.
The issue was raised on Friday afternoon by Dafna Hacker Dror of the UN's committee on the elimination of discrimination against women and girls.
Ms Hacker Dror told the Irish delegation attending a hearing in Geneva: 'It seems that formal bodies are using the concept of parental alienation as if not contested, while it is highly contested on many levels including due to the risk that use of this concept holds for women and children who suffer from domestic violence.'
Ms Hacker Dror asked why the concept was being used and added: 'What is done to prevent its potential harm to victims of domestic violence?"
Minister for migration Colm Brophy led the Irish government's delegation and agreed to respond to that and some other questions in writing.
It comes after minister for justice Jim O'Callaghan said last month that recommendations arising from a consultation process on parental alienation are currently being progressed.
He said the process had resulted in a public consensus that 'the means to address parental alienation lie in improvements to the Irish family courts and family justice system'.
He acknowledged that parental alienation is a highly contested and divisive concept.
The consultation process on the issue was launched in 2022 by then-Justice Minister Helen McEntee.
The aim of the consultation process was to seek the views of stakeholders and individuals around the issue of parental alienation.
A report on parental alienation in other jurisdictions was also reviewed by the department as part of a process examining whether policy or legislative changes are required in Ireland.
Meanwhile, concern was also raised during the hearing in Geneva that although Travellers make up just 0.7% of the Irish population, 15% of the male prison population and 22% of the female prison population in Ireland are Travellers.
Department of Justice representative Lisa Doherty acknowledged that the 'disproportionate representation' of Travellers in the prison system is a 'cause for concern and is a reflection of the challenges facing Travellers in our society.'
