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

Another section relevant to this Part is that we have separately amended section 11(2) of the 1964 Act to ensure a parent is liable for maintenance, whether or not the parent is the guardian of the child. We did examine this in detail and considered setting up trusts but there could be potential conflicts of interest.

We felt the approach we took in the Bill left the courts with a wide and appropriate range of discretion. Family law Acts do not require accommodation to be purchased in the names of children. I take Deputy Shatter’s point and I will get further legal advice to see if this section can be strengthened in the way he has outlined.