Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I obviously read over the period the reports of the circumstances and impact on the Deputy's family in matters related to this. I can speak for everyone when I say that I admire the courage and bravery of Fiona Doyle in speaking out, but it is not just a case of the Oireachtas offering some sort of consolation or support. Sometimes, we lose sight of the really fundamental important issues in life in respect of families and relations with each other because of inadequacies of one element of our system or not.

Deputy Adams is well aware of the clear difference between the Oireachtas, the Government and the Judiciary and the clear lines of demarcation that are there. That is not to say that, as an Oireachtas, we should not discuss what it is we think is in the best interests of dealing with these kinds of situation that arise in our society with devastating impact for individuals and for families. I would certainly be happy to arrange, at an appropriate time, that we discuss within the Oireachtas the proposals the Minister for Justice and Equality is considering in respect of changes in the courts system. I obviously remind the Deputy that, to date, the Minister has already brought about some of the most fundamental changes in the legal system in more than 200 years.

This is a matter that is of interest to the Minister. I would suggest that we should have a discussion about what the Oireachtas feels should be put in place for the future, given that there are inadequacies in some respects in our courts system as it currently applies in terms of consistency, membership and the capacity to respond quickly.

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