Ulster Unionist MLA Michael Copeland has welcomed shake up of the family justice system in GB which will grant children legal rights to maintain proper relationships with both parents in the event of separation.
The East Belfast representative, who is also the UUP spokesman on Social development issues said;
“The UK Children’s Minister Tim Loughton highlighted the issue of hundreds of thousands of children “losing meaningful contact with the non-resident parent, usually the father.” This problem is also widespread in Northern Ireland and an area in which I have a specific and growing interest.
I really believe that appropriate early intervention could protect the rights of all and at the same time save the public purse many millions of pounds.
A Westminster working group is being established to examine changes to the 1989 Children’s Act to help protect these rights and I shall be doing my utmost to ensure that the Stormont Executive engages in the process to ensure that any changes are applied to Northern Ireland as soon as possible.”