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	Unmarried fathers who have lived with the mother of their child for more than a year will have automatic guardianship rights under sweeping changes to family law.</p>
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	The landmark legislation will, for the first time, give unmarried fathers legal rights to access to their children despite being separated from their children&#39;s mother.</p>
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	Only mothers currently have guaranteed guardianship of a child born outside marriage and fathers can be forced to engage in lengthy legal battles to get access to their child.</p>
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	The new rules, which are contained in the Government&#39;s Children and Family Relationships Bill, have been welcomed by children&#39;s charity Barnardos, which described the legislation as a &quot;hugely significant development&quot;.</p>
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	If the bill proposed by Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald is passed, unmarried fathers who lived with a partner for 12 consecutive months - including at least three months after their child is born - will automatically become a guardian.</p>
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	Currently, fathers can only secure rights to their child if they obtain a statutory declaration signed by the mother allowing access.</p>
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	They can also apply for guardianship through the district court, but neither route guarantees becoming a guardian to their child.</p>
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	Barnardos said the new provision &quot;recognises and values the commitment of fathers to their children, and by applying a cohabitation clause, ensures that fathers who do not wish or intend to be involved in their child&#39;s life are not automatic guardians&quot;.</p>
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	&quot;It also ensures that fathers of children conceived as a result of rape or incest are not automatic guardians.&quot;</p>
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	Step-parents and a parent&#39;s cohabiting partner will be able to apply for guardianship if they have shared caring responsibilities for a child for more than two years.</p>
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	In these cases, guardianship will be limited to &#39;day-to-day&#39; decisions while major issues regarding residence, religion and education will be the sole responsibility of a biological parent.</p>
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	<a href="http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/unmarried-fathers-to-be-given-more-rights-under-new-laws-30994819.html">http://www.independent.ie/irish-news/unmarried-fathers-to-be-given-more-rights-under-new-laws-30994819.html</a></p>
