'Those convicted of such horrendous crimes should not enjoy parental rights' - Minister John O'Dowd
Finance Minister John O’Dowd said those convicted of killling their co-parents should not enjoy parental rights
The Minister was responding to a question from Foyle DUP MLA regarding legislation to suspend parental responsibility for such people.
Asking a Topical Question of the Minister, whose Department shares responsibility for Family Law with the Department of Justice, in the Assembly chamber on Monday (November 9, 2026), Ms Middleton said: “Minister, under the current framework, when one parent murders another, grieving grandparents are left with no speak and the perpetrator for permission on welfare, schooling and medical care [for children they are co-parenting].
“So, following on from your previous answer to a question, could you please provide a definitive timeline for addressing this anomaly in our family law and will you also commit to working swiftly, alongside the Justice Minister, to ensure that no bereaved family needs to face this unnecessary and cruel trauma anymore?”
Replying Minister O’Dowd said: “I will be setting out in greater detail in my statement tomorrow (Tuesday, November 10) around this very, very sensitive but important issue.
“In recent days we have seen convictions for the most horrific and horrendous of crimes against women and against their children as well,” he added.
“Those convicted of such horrendous crimes, in my opinion, should not continue to enjoy parental rights. As a father, I just cannot fathom it.
“But I have to go through the process of consultation and engagement and that will include bereaved families, as you have set out there, and others as well,” said Mr O’Dowd.
Ms Middleton followed up by asking: “Could you outline any specific vehicle or legislative vehicle that could be put in place that ensures that this is put in place in this mandate, and that no family is left waiting?”
Mr O’Dowd answered: “When this was first brought to my attention in April, I wanted to move very quickly on it. I wanted to move the legislation through quite quickly.
“But then, after engaging with my officials and looking at this matter much closer, when you look at Jade’s Law in England, which has good intentions, really good intentions, it was brought through Westminster quickly. It was attached to another piece of legislation. And, while it remains on the statute books, it is not being implemented.
“So those who go on to murder who they are in the relationship with, and who leave children behind, are still - two years after Jade’s Law was introduced - being allowed to make parental decisions.
“I don’t want that. I want us to bring forward legislation which is on the books and which is implemented as well. This is going to move into the next mandate but the work is going to start now, and the decisions will be made in the next mandate.”
Minister O’Dowd will make his Assembly statement on Tuesday, November 10, 2026 on the Family Law Reform Consultation.
The Minister will speak at 11.00am and will address ‘Strengthening Protections for Children through Reform of Parental Responsibility’.
Details can be found here: https://www.niassembly.gov.uk/assembly-business/indicative-timings/tuesday-10-november-2026/