Unmarried Fathers of Ireland, a pressure group lobbying for the rights of single fathers, has accused the State of "breaching the civil rights of unmarried fathers."
Protesting outside the Dáil today the group said it aims to highlight the difficulties men have in gaining access to and guardianship or custody of their children.
Spokesperson for the group Mr Ray Kelly said the demonstrators were calling for a change in the in camerasystem of hearings for family law cases.
He said as a result of the "behind closed doors system their is no public debate taking place." "This is a breach of our civil rights, we have the right to love and care for our children but Irish law denies us that basic right," he said.
The organisation has been in existence for the past six years, seeking changes in the courts system for family law cases.
Fine Gael spokesperson on Social and Community Affairs Mr Brian Hayes TD attended the protest in support of the group. He said the Government had ignored his calls for the setting up of a commission to deal with the "layers of issues unmarried fathers have to face." He said the State has a duty to formalise recognition of fathers as single or lone parents.
Unmarried Fathers of Ireland has set up a help-line for fathers who do not have access to their children at (01) 4514295.