Court ruling a boost for rights of parents

THE Supreme Court decision which found that the information commissioner was wrong to refuse a father access to his daughter’s hospital medical records will be welcomed by all who support parents in matters affecting the welfare of their children.

Denying a guardian vital information regarding his/her children undermines their constitutional status as guardians of their children.

Unfortunately, the information commissioner’s office is not the only State body which is guilty in this regard. We are aware of many instances where the gardaí, courts service, HSE, schools, etc, do not seem to understand the primacy of parents in all matters affecting the wellbeing of their children.