The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter TD, today released the 2012 figures on applications dealt with in his Department by the Central Authority for Child Abduction. The key figures are:-
· The Central Authority for Child Abduction dealt with a total of 276
cases in 2012. 147 of these were new cases (5 more than in 2011)
while 129 were ongoing cases carried over from 2011.
· Of the 147 new cases involving 192 children, 64 concerned
applications into the State (incoming) from other countries while 83
concerned applications from the State (outgoing) to other countries.
Of the 129 cases still active from the previous year, 60 were
incoming and 69 outgoing.
· In summary, a total of 124 incoming cases and 152 outgoing cases were
being processed by the Irish Central Authority in liaison with other
national Central Authorities.
· Of the 147 new applications received by the Irish Central Authority,
46% (68) involved the United Kingdom; 10% (14) involved Poland; 8%
(12) involved Latvia; 24% (36) involved other European countries and
12% (17) other contracting states (i.e. USA; Canada; Australia; S.
Africa).
On release of the figures, Minister Shatter said "Parental child abduction
continues to be a worrying problem. Mediation remains the best way for
estranged parents and spouses to resolve their differences and reach
lasting agreements that work in the best interests of the children
involved. As of 1 November 2011, following a Government decision on this
matter, the Family Mediation Service became part of the Legal Aid Board and
can help families reach agreement without having to resort to court. I
would encourage any family in such a situation to access these services and
to do so as soon as possible. I will continue to work to improve the
measures available to families including through the Mediation Bill which
is currently being drafted."
The Irish Central Authority was established on foot of the Child Abduction
and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991. This Act gave the force of law
in Ireland to the 1980 Hague Convention on the Civil Aspects of
International Child Abduction (the 1980 Hague Convention). The purpose of
this Convention is to facilitate the return of children who have been taken
from one contracting state to another against the wishes of a parent. In
addition, there is provision for a custody or access order granted in one
contracting state to be recognised or enforced in another contracting
state. The Central Authority also operates under Council Regulation (EC) No
2201/2003 concerning jurisdiction and the recognition and enforcement of
judgments in matrimonial matters and in matters of parental responsibility
(Brussels II bis) and the 1996 Hague Convention on Jurisdiction, Applicable
Law, Recognition, Enforcement and Co-operation in Respect of Parental
Responsibility and Measures for the Protection of Children (the 1996 Hague
Convention). This Regulation and the 1996 Hague Convention enhance the
provisions of the 1980 Hague Convention.