Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On Report Stage I intend to amend this section, which inserts new sections 31 and 32 into the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964. This will link the reference in section 31(2)(b) to the views of the child in the best interest provision to the provisions of section 32, which allow the court to seek a child's views directly or to appoint an expert to find out the child's views. It also amends the definition of "family violence" to "household violence" to ensure this encompasses more accurately the potential risks of violence that may have an impact on the child's welfare.

I plan to bring an amendment on Report Stage which will insert a new section after section 58. The amendment will extend the provisions of section 27 of the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964, enabling the court to proceed in the absence of the child to applications under sections 6C and 6D as inserted by section 45 of the Bill.