Ms Saoirse Brady:

We need to reform the family court system. We have not particularly focused on that in our submission, while others have. Although mediation is much more prominent now, in the heads of this Bill "best interests" does not seem to extend to circumstances where mediation takes place. Mediation is favoured because it is more efficient and cost-effective in most cases. Where parents could agree on access, guardianship and other matters related to how to care for their child, it should be promoted. I would not like this piece of legislation to be delayed because of it. Hopefully we will see some reform of the family law system sooner rather than later.