Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 30 September 2014
277. Deputy John Browne asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if the proposed mediation Bill will have any relevance either to insolvency legislation or in the context of mediation being refused in appeals to the Financial Services Ombudsman; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36548/14]
View answerThe Mediation Bill, which is currently being drafted, will promote mediation as an effective and efficient alternative to court proceedings in civil law matters, thereby reducing legal costs and speeding up the resolution of disputes. It will introduce an obligation on solicitors and barristers to advise any person wishing to commence court proceedings to consider mediation as a means of resolving the matter before embarking on such proceedings. However, it is not intended that the Bill will replace mediation or other alternative dispute resolution processes in existing legislation, such as the procedures provided for in the Personal Insolvency Act 2012 and those relating to the activities of the Financial Services Ombudsman in the Central Bank and Financial Services Authority of Ireland Act 2004.
