Sunday, November 29, 2015
Thank You
A big thank you to all who contributed to this blog by way of email responses and twitter comments. It's hard to believe that it was 5 years ago since the last election and of course were are coming around again to another General Election. The same questions still apply but this time round I will pose another 5 questions .....WATCH THIS SPACE
Wednesday, November 25, 2015
Media commentry
It's hard sometimes to be an election candidate! Is it the right thing to do or will you draw too much attention to yourself...... and then you have some in the media who feel free to say what they want without consequences....
Well! Do men deserve more rights .... read my response here ...
Wednesday, February 23, 2011
Response by email
From Aine Clancy, FF Dublin Central
Dear Alan,
Thank you for email, in which you raise a number of important issues which I will deal with in turn.
First, the Labour Party, through its Spokesperson on Equality, has welcomed the recommendations from the Law Reform Commission contained in ' Report on Family Relationships'.
Labour is welcoming this report and the recommendations, which are consistent with Labour's own Guardianship of the Children Bill 2010, published in April. Our Bill was designed to vindicate the right of a child to know and have the company of each of its parents, unless there are compelling circumstances why this would not be in the interests of the child.
Clearly the Law Reform Commission's report is detailed and will need to be examined but there are many positive recommendations which I hope the Government will act on.
We need to update our legislation to protect the interests of both parents, and more importantly to enhance the rights of children. Children have a fundamental right in international law to the society of each of their parents, but the out-dated law on guardianship fails to vindicate that right. The law must be modernised to achieve this.
Second, the Labour Party Guardianship of Children Bill 2010 sought to ensure that every child's rights are vindicated by conferring an automatic guardianship role on natural fathers.
Third, however, your argument is that what the LRC is in fact proposing is to confer similiar rights on unmarried fathers by diluting the present statutory rights of married fathers.
On the one hand, as you point out, section 6 of the present Act says that the father and mother of a child shall be guardians of the child jointly.Reflecting a change in terminology from guardianship to parental responsibility, section 8 of the draft Bill appended to the LRC's Report says that "the father and mother of a child shall exercise joint parental responsibility for the child". I do not see that there is much significance difference between the two provisions. On the other hand, you correctly point to the fact to the fact the LRC decided against imposing a statutory duty on joint guardians to consult. This seems to mean that joint guardianship means that either guardian can separately make important guadianship decisions. In practice this will mean the one who has custody.
The Party has not considered this particular aspect of the argument. It is of course important to recognise the equal status of both parents but whether that should mean equal and independent status is open to question.
Any proposals put forward by Labour in responseto the LRC Report and its draft Bill will take into account the points you have made here and we look forward to receiving more detailed submissions from your orgainsation.
Kind regards
Aine Clancy
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
Response by email
From Thomas Hollywood, Independent Dublin Central
Hi Alan,
I have answered your questionnaire. I left no. 4 out because I
am not familiar with that piece of legislation.
I have seen the Fathers 4 Justice campaign in England and
and the lengths they have gone to to be even noticed.
My chances of being elected as a first-time candidate are slim but if I can help
in any way to promote fathers' rights let me know.
Regards,
Thomas
Monday, February 21, 2011
THE HALL OF SHAME
The following candidates have failed to even acknowledge my repeated requests for them to comment on my 5 questions on Parental Equality the ballot box will be an easy choice for me.
In no particular order
In no particular order
Cyprian Brady FF
Cieran Perry Ind
Christy Burke Ind
Joe Costello Lab
Mary Fitzpatrick FF
Benny Cooney Ind
Paul O'Loughlin Ind
Online Questionnaire Form
As a help to candidates I have now made it easier for you to answer the 5 questions posed in previous correspondence either by Email or Twitter. If you click on this link here it will bring you to the Questionnaire page
Response update
So its 50/50 now at this stage. 8 Candidates have responded in part or in full and 8 haven't responded or hadn't even the courtesy to acknowledged receipt of my emails or twits!! I will list the candidates who have failed to acknowledge my emails later today.
Email via Twitter
From Malachy Steenson, Independent Dublin Central
1. Hi Alan, just reading your tweet now, fully support your 1-5 questions, .
2. Also the in Camera rule needs to be relaxed so that some reporting emerges from District Court hearings, obviously with identities protected
1. Hi Alan, just reading your tweet now, fully support your 1-5 questions, .
2. Also the in Camera rule needs to be relaxed so that some reporting emerges from District Court hearings, obviously with identities protected
Email response
From Maureen O'Sullivan, Dublin central
Alan; I think I met you in that campaign when I was supporting the late Tony Gregory. I was having dificulty accessing the question part so will try again in a day or so.
Regards,
Maureen O'Sullivan
Alan; I think I met you in that campaign when I was supporting the late Tony Gregory. I was having dificulty accessing the question part so will try again in a day or so.
Regards,
Maureen O'Sullivan
Sunday, February 20, 2011
Email response
Email from Liam Johnston
Dear Mr Beirne
Unfortunately as an independent running in this election, I do not have access to a campaign machine, so most of my time is out canvassing door-2-door.
Parental Equality is very much in line with the ethos of my values and I will be supporting that.
Thank you for your interest in my candidacy
regards
Liam Johnston
Independent Fís Nua Candidate, Dublin Central
Dear Mr Beirne
Unfortunately as an independent running in this election, I do not have access to a campaign machine, so most of my time is out canvassing door-2-door.
Parental Equality is very much in line with the ethos of my values and I will be supporting that.
Thank you for your interest in my candidacy
regards
Liam Johnston
Independent Fís Nua Candidate, Dublin Central
Email response update
The responses are coming in now and thank you to the candidates who have responded.
Email from John Hyland
Hi Alan,
I think I can answer your questions if you want to know where the candidates heart lay in honest terms.
I am a very strong advocate of proper access and rights to fathers.
You can rest assured in that.
Sincerely,
John Hyland
Independent Candidate
Dublin central
Email from John Hyland
Hi Alan,
I think I can answer your questions if you want to know where the candidates heart lay in honest terms.
I am a very strong advocate of proper access and rights to fathers.
You can rest assured in that.
Sincerely,
John Hyland
Independent Candidate
Dublin central
GE11 update
Today I emailed 15 Candidates in the Dublin Central constituency. There are 16 but 1 of these candidates, believe it or not, does not have an email address or if they do I couldn't find it (Thomas Hollywood)and I would appreciate someone passing this on to me if they have it. Candidates who were emailed:-
Saturday, February 19, 2011
From MaryLou McDonald, Sinn Fein Dublin Central
Hi Alan,
Please see information below.
Sinn Féin believes that when considering care arrangements for children following the divorce or separation of their parents, the child's best interests and their right to contact should be of paramount consideration. We believe that, in most cases, the child's welfare will be best served by the active participation of both parents in care. The exception to this is where the child has experienced, or is in danger of, harm. We also believe that where there is a history or danger of domestic violence or intimidation, it is the responsibility of statutory agencies to ensure that contact is arranged in such a way as to guard against this.
Sinn Féin is opposed to any form of sex discrimination in relation to parents – fathers' parenting rights should not be inferior to those of mothers.
Along with equal rights come equal responsibilities. Sinn Féin believes that the law should fully recognise that the best interests of the child is served by both parents taking emotional and financial responsibility for childrens' well-being and act accordingly. However, the law must also recognise that the parents may not necessarily be of equal means. Each parent's contribution towards the child's or children's maintenance should be based on their ability to pay.
While we believe that it is the interests of children to have both their parents actively involved in their care, we do not believe that this means that the best option for all children will necessarily be to spend equal time with both parents. Once again, the interests of the child should determine, on a case-by-case basis, how their care arrangements are apportioned.
While the paramount interests of the child are written into British legislation, Sinn Féin is concerned at evidence of seemingly perverse judicial decisions in relation to the ordering of access and care arrangements, though we note that such decisions have penalised mothers as well as fathers. There is clearly something amiss with the practical implementation of the law.
Sinn Féin proposes that training requirements for all professionals involved in family court services should be significantly improved, to ensure that the decisions made by courts are properly informed by the interests of the child. We call for investment in, and development of, mediation services to allow all parents the real opportunity to settle their differences without recourse to court proceedings.
The law in the 26 counties, while also identifying the welfare of the child as the most important factor, operates mechanisms for deciding care arrangements that are less flexible, and do not allow for joint custody unless both parents agree to such a solution. Just as Sinn Féin is opposed to the automatic granting of joint custody, so we are opposed to its automatic refusal – once again we believe that the law should allow for decisions to be made on a case-to-case basis taking into account the particular interests of each child. We also believe that the training of professionals and the improvement of mediation services are just as urgently needed in the 26 counties.
With thanks.
ML
Hi Alan,
Please see information below.
Sinn Féin believes that when considering care arrangements for children following the divorce or separation of their parents, the child's best interests and their right to contact should be of paramount consideration. We believe that, in most cases, the child's welfare will be best served by the active participation of both parents in care. The exception to this is where the child has experienced, or is in danger of, harm. We also believe that where there is a history or danger of domestic violence or intimidation, it is the responsibility of statutory agencies to ensure that contact is arranged in such a way as to guard against this.
Sinn Féin is opposed to any form of sex discrimination in relation to parents – fathers' parenting rights should not be inferior to those of mothers.
Along with equal rights come equal responsibilities. Sinn Féin believes that the law should fully recognise that the best interests of the child is served by both parents taking emotional and financial responsibility for childrens' well-being and act accordingly. However, the law must also recognise that the parents may not necessarily be of equal means. Each parent's contribution towards the child's or children's maintenance should be based on their ability to pay.
While we believe that it is the interests of children to have both their parents actively involved in their care, we do not believe that this means that the best option for all children will necessarily be to spend equal time with both parents. Once again, the interests of the child should determine, on a case-by-case basis, how their care arrangements are apportioned.
While the paramount interests of the child are written into British legislation, Sinn Féin is concerned at evidence of seemingly perverse judicial decisions in relation to the ordering of access and care arrangements, though we note that such decisions have penalised mothers as well as fathers. There is clearly something amiss with the practical implementation of the law.
Sinn Féin proposes that training requirements for all professionals involved in family court services should be significantly improved, to ensure that the decisions made by courts are properly informed by the interests of the child. We call for investment in, and development of, mediation services to allow all parents the real opportunity to settle their differences without recourse to court proceedings.
The law in the 26 counties, while also identifying the welfare of the child as the most important factor, operates mechanisms for deciding care arrangements that are less flexible, and do not allow for joint custody unless both parents agree to such a solution. Just as Sinn Féin is opposed to the automatic granting of joint custody, so we are opposed to its automatic refusal – once again we believe that the law should allow for decisions to be made on a case-to-case basis taking into account the particular interests of each child. We also believe that the training of professionals and the improvement of mediation services are just as urgently needed in the 26 counties.
With thanks.
ML
Twitter Answers
48 hours on and I now have 3 twitter responses out of 7 twitter Candidates. Thanks Paschal, Aine & MaryLou. @MaryLouMcDonald can you send me email add or will I forward to Parental Equality email?
You can see all my tweets by clicking on the 'Follow me on Twitter link on the right hand side.
You can see all my tweets by clicking on the 'Follow me on Twitter link on the right hand side.
Friday, February 18, 2011
Twitter Answers
Its nearly 20 hours now since I posed the first questions to the General Election Candidates for 2011. I have had 2 responses:-
1. From Paschal Donohoe @Paschald have received 100s of questions in last 5 days. Will get back to you as soon as I can.
And 2. from Aine Clancy @AineClancy sorry just saw this and am on way to canvass. In general yes I support equal right for fathers. Will reply in more detail later
1. From Paschal Donohoe @Paschald have received 100s of questions in last 5 days. Will get back to you as soon as I can.
And 2. from Aine Clancy @AineClancy sorry just saw this and am on way to canvass. In general yes I support equal right for fathers. Will reply in more detail later
Responses from emails
From Phil Kearney
Dear Alan,
As a pioneer of psychotherapy with the whole family (family therapy) in this country I have been an advocate for inclusion of fathers and recognition of their rights over a 30 year career.
I also organised a number of gatherings for men in the 90s when there was a 'men's movement'. I met Liam O'Gogain at that time.
I have been practicing what I preached then for the past 20 years as a father very involved in childcare, home-making etc.
I am very supportive of the issues you are campaigning for and would be grateful for your support in this election.
Best regards,
Phil
Phil Kearney
Green Party candidate,
Dublin Central.
Dear Alan,
As a pioneer of psychotherapy with the whole family (family therapy) in this country I have been an advocate for inclusion of fathers and recognition of their rights over a 30 year career.
I also organised a number of gatherings for men in the 90s when there was a 'men's movement'. I met Liam O'Gogain at that time.
I have been practicing what I preached then for the past 20 years as a father very involved in childcare, home-making etc.
I am very supportive of the issues you are campaigning for and would be grateful for your support in this election.
Best regards,
Phil
Phil Kearney
Green Party candidate,
Dublin Central.
Questions to Candidates
The following candidates in Dublin central have been asked the five basic questions below and I will post their responses here when I receive them:-
Christy Burke, Paschal Donohoe, Aine Clancy, Cyprian Brady, Joe Costello, Paul O´Loughlin, Phil Kearney. I will pose these questions to the other candidates once I get emails or social media details for them.
No.1 Will you support the division of Child Benefit in proportion to who is caring for the child/children?
No.2 Will you support Parental Equality (the equal treatment of Fathers and Mothers as parents)?
No.3 Will you support making unmarried fathers automatic guardians of their children as in an unmarried mother?
No.4 Will you support to retain the current legal position, fathers and mothers who are guardians of their children act JOINTLY in accordance with Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.
No.5 Will you the support the insistence that all Family Law hearings are digitally recorded with the equipment which is already paid for by taxpayers monies and installed in the courts buildings?
Christy Burke, Paschal Donohoe, Aine Clancy, Cyprian Brady, Joe Costello, Paul O´Loughlin, Phil Kearney. I will pose these questions to the other candidates once I get emails or social media details for them.
No.1 Will you support the division of Child Benefit in proportion to who is caring for the child/children?
No.2 Will you support Parental Equality (the equal treatment of Fathers and Mothers as parents)?
No.3 Will you support making unmarried fathers automatic guardians of their children as in an unmarried mother?
No.4 Will you support to retain the current legal position, fathers and mothers who are guardians of their children act JOINTLY in accordance with Section 6 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.
No.5 Will you the support the insistence that all Family Law hearings are digitally recorded with the equipment which is already paid for by taxpayers monies and installed in the courts buildings?
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