Sir, - I refer to Alan Byrne's letter (June 26th), and wish to express my support for the concept of joint custody of children in the event of marital breakdown. As the EP President's Mediator on abducted children, it has become very clear to me in the past year that the majority of child abductions by parents, result from a panic reaction by one or both parents, that they will lose contact and access to their children.
As the abduction of children causes great grief particularly to the child, I believe that a system where both parents can be assured (except in cases where this clearly contra indicated) that they can continue to have a meaningful and consistent relationship with their children. Only then will the distressing abduction of children cease.
Last year, the Department dealt with 132 cases of child abduction both in and out of the country. Similar figures exist within the EU and also beyond our borders. - Yours, etc.,
FPP President's Mediator on Abducted Children, European Parliament Offices, Molesworth Street,
Dublin 2.