The Children and Family Relationships Bill represents the most significant change in family law in a generation and attempts to reflect the social reality of contemporary family life in Ireland. The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, is to be commended for the development of the innovative legislative proposals under consideration. The new framework that will be implemented following the passage of this Bill will not only radically overhaul many existing rules, it will create new rights for parents, both biological and social, and, most critically, for children. As a result, it represents an important milestone on the road to recognition of children as rights holders.
