Dr. Kenneth Burns:

I am not familiar with the initiative Dr. Coulter mentioned. I think she mentioned an initiative in the UK. This related to media organisations rationalising their front of house journalists and therefore not covering as many proceedings as they would have done heretofore. If we are interested in transparency and accountability, then an investment of resources is required. The Department of Children and Youth Affairs has ongoing support for Dr. Coulter's research.

I agree. I do not have a magic bullet. I cannot point to places in Europe where that is the case. We would stand out as a country. We are more secretive than other countries with which I am familiar. For example, other countries have access to court documents. Through the CAFCAS system in the UK, for example, researchers would have clear access to that. Accessing court records and accessing individuals, resourcing projects such as Dr. Coulter's over time is one thing. However, the Oireachtas needs to set the principle that we are seeking greater transparency and accountability in the family court system and that would enable, for example, civil society groups and politicians to gather evidence and collectively represent it in a safer way. Therefore parents and children, for example, would be more empowered to speak through these civil society organisations. It is about us continuing to support those civil society and grassroots organisations to have a representative role in this regard.