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Legislative Measures

Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 15 December 2015

Tuesday, 15 December 2015

Questions (262)

Ciara Conway

Question:

262. Deputy Ciara Conway asked the Minister for Justice and Equality the reason for the delay in enacting all sections of the Child and Family Relationships Act 2015; if she will outline when all sections of the Bill will be enacted; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [45211/15]

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Written answers

Section 1 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 provides for the commencement of different Parts of the Act by different Ministers, because the Act addresses policy responsibilities of several different Ministers. As the Deputy may recall, Minister Varadkar and I jointly committed that the provisions of Parts 2 and 3 of the Bill would not commence for a minimum of one year from its enactment, to ensure that the treatment of persons currently undertaking fertility treatment would not be affected.

Preparations for commencement of the Parts of the Children and Family Relationships Bill which are within my policy responsibility are at an advanced stage, and I expect to be in a position to commence significant portions of it shortly. This will include in particular the changes to the legal regime governing guardianship and custody of and access to children, best interests of the child, and the maintenance code.

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