Pauline O'Reilly (Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. I wish to focus on recommendation 39(a). The Minister mentioned the family courts Bill. We have had internal discussions on the balance to be struck when it comes to mediation. I believe that currently less than 5% of those involved in family law cases go through mediation prior to taking it to the courts. What is the Minister's proposal? How can we step up mediation and collaborative law while also ensuring that people are not forced into compulsory mediation? When it comes to gender-based violence, it is important that people are free to go to the courts and are not forced to endure a longer period before exiting something that may be quite harmful to them. I know that the National Women's Council has asked that we do not have mandatory mediation. From people not involved it seems that the best outcome would be that everyone should go through mediation before going to court.