8.A Consultation Paper entitled “Parental Responsibility for Unmarried Fathers and Court Procedures for Determining Paternity” was published by the Office of Law Reform in July 1999. The consultation period ran from 30 July 1999 to 29 October 1999. Copies of the Consultation Paper were sent out to 185 individuals and organisations throughout Northern Ireland representing local community and voluntary groups, the health boards and trusts, other government departments, mens’ groups, the main churches, the legal profession, academics, the judiciary and the political parties. By the end of the consultation period a total of 34 substantive replies were received. The quality of response was generally very high. Following the close of the consultation period the responses to the issues raised were analysed and that analysis has informed the development of policy which this Act implements.