Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
1046. Deputy Brendan Howlin asked the Minister for Justice her views on the recommendations contained in the report of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on the reform of the family law system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34202/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1049. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if the recommendations of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on reform of the family law system have been considered; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32358/20]
Amharc ar fhreagra1050. Deputy Brendan Smith asked the Minister for Justice if she will consider implementing recommendations 9, 11 and 36 of the report of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality on reform of the family law system; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [32359/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1046, 1049 and 1050 together.
The Government is fully committed to modernising the family law system in Ireland. We will introduce a new Family Court Bill and develop a dedicated family court system. The development of sensible, comprehensive and sensitive family law procedures, particularly for vulnerable families, will be central to the new system. This is a commitment in the programme for government and includes resolving disputes in a less adversarial manner.
My intention is to reform the family justice system to create a more efficient and user-friendly family court system that puts families at the centre of its activities and will:
- Provide access to specialist supports.
- Encourage the use of alternative dispute resolution in family law proceedings.
- Streamline family law court processes to make them more efficient and more user-friendly, while encouraging greater use of alternative dispute resolution.
A Family Justice Oversight Group has recently been established in my department which, in addition to department officials, also includes representation from the judiciary, the Courts Service, the Legal Aid Board and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The Group held its first meeting in September and has been tasked with agreeing a high-level vision and key medium and longer-term objectives for the development of a national family justice system having regard to international best practice, in parallel with the establishment of the dedicated Family Court structure as envisaged by the forthcoming Family Court Bill.
A work plan is currently being developed by the group and I understand that one of the tasks to be undertaken is consideration of the various recommendations contained in the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality Report on Reform of the Family Law System including those specifically referred to by the Deputy.
