‘No change’ to child rights

Legislation to modernise the laws on families and guardianship will not change the rights of most children in terms of parentage, Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald has pledged.

She also said the biological child of a heterosexual couple will have exactly the same parentage rights as at present, despite claims by those opposed to the laws.

Opening the Dáil discussion on the Children and Family Relationships Bill, Ms Fitzgerald said the number of children living in cohabiting households rose 41% between 2006 and 2011.