Conor Lenihan (Dublin South West, Fianna Fail)

Wider issues arise involving the consistency of judgments as between courts, whether they be in an urban or rural setting. An issue has been raised directly by judges with the Department and its officials about the consistency across the courts system with regard to decisions and matters arising from the family courts. I understand there is a commitment from judges to provide more consistency in terms of the judgments in this area. That is to be welcomed.

The Minister also commissioned a report by Dr. Carol Coulter on the operation of the family courts. That report has been published and made available to the public. Many of the points made in the report are being absorbed into the system, either at official level or by the courts themselves.

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