Vol. 499 No. 3
147 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Foreign Affairs the areas of responsibility, if any, his Department has with regard to the Government's policy on children; the areas of responsibility, if any, his Department has with regard to the Government's policy on the family; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [2736/99]
The Department monitors developments in international law relating to children and the family, including in particular the Hauge Conference on Private International Law which has elaborated a number of important conventions on children and family law matters. The Department also has certain functions in relation to conveying requests for mutual assistance in civil proceedings between the relevant Irish and overseas authorities, including where these proceedings relate to children and family law matters.
