Alan Farrell (Dublin Fingal, Fine Gael)
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Amendment No. 1 in the name of Deputy Rabbitte has been ruled out of order. As I am sure the members are aware, it would require the District Court to appoint a guardian ad litemin all childcare proceedings and would enable the court to discharge that order where the child makes a request to that effect. Appointing a guardian ad litemin every case before the District Court would entail a significant increase in the cost to the State. Amendment No. 3 is consequential to amendment No. 1. The amendments must therefore be ruled out of order as they would create a charge on the revenue, in accordance with Standing Order 179(3). That is the advice that has been given. We would not normally have a debate on such matters, but if it is all right with the Minister I might ask for her opinion on it.