Charles Flanagan (Laois-Offaly, Fine Gael)

You have been particularly generous with the time this afternoon a Cheann Comhairle for which I thank you.

I asked what steps the Minister was taking to promote the advancement of mediation, and it is regrettable that he did not take the opportunity to answer that. Mediation could save the State up to €200 million. Particular emphasis was placed on it in the McCarthy report, which is an aspect of the report about which we have heard very little. I would have thought the Minister might have taken the opportunity to comment on it.

The emphasis of the 1996 Law Reform Commission report on family law is placed on mediation rather than adversarial court structures. Does the Minister see any role for himself in the promotion or assistance of a shift away from adversarial issues towards mediation?

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