asked the Minister for Justice if he has any plans to establish a unified family tribunal system to deal with all family law matters.
Written Answers. - Family Law.
13.
As I have indicated in this House on a number of occasions it is clear that any developed system of family courts or tribunals could be very costly in buildings and staff and, therefore, is out of the question in present financial circumstances. The best that can be hoped for is a minimal provision to bring about more informality in family law procedures and I have welcomed the provisions on those lines and on counselling and mediation in the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Bill, 1987 which is at present before the House.
The question of the institution of family courts has not been considered in any great depth. The Law Reform Commission has yet to make any detailed proposals on family type court structures but its President has indicated that it intends to take up this matter in the near future.