Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees
Wednesday, 6 March 2019
Joint Oireachtas Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality
Reform of Family Law System: Discussion (Resumed)
Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source
I will be brief. Mr. Ó hUllacháin spoke about the site in Hammond Lane. I believe the OPW paid approximately €4 million for it some 20 years ago. Does he know why it was stalled? Has he ever challenged the Government about it?
I will ask a number of questions together as otherwise we will never get out of here. Mr. Ó hUllacháin spoke about the need for increased funding for the Legal Aid Board to make it fit for purpose. Everybody agrees with that, but has a cost analysis been carried out on it? What exact amount would be required to make it fit for purpose?
Dr. Coulter spoke about in cameraproceedings. I am aware she does much work in that area. She made the point that currently the potential fines are scaring people from covering the proceedings. Has she any easy fixes as to how the system should work to bring about more positive outcomes? There has been much talk about fathers' poor representation or poor outcomes. Is thein camerasituation impeding that? Conor O'Mahony was jumping up and down last week about the chilling effect of the in camerasystem. There probably are no easy fixes, but what are Dr. Coulter's thoughts on it?
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