Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

That response was very comforting because, without being rude, I had expected the Minister of State to tell me it was a done deal and would not be reviewed. Consequently, I am greatly comforted that it is under active review. What is the expected time during which the concerns raised with me and, equally, the Review Commissioners will be taken into consideration? When would changes or modifications made to the credit come into effect? Would it be necessary to wait until the passage of the finance Bill at the end of this year or does the Minister of State think mid-term amendments would be made to it? Such amendments in the first instance would allow for cases in which there was no agreement between the two parents as to who should have the credit before forcing fathers to go back to the High Court or the District Court to get changes in maintenance payments, thereby incurring all of the additional expense, which, obviously, is something no one desires. The second instance is where the mother is not earning €16,000 to enable her to take advantage of the entire €1,650 credit with the result that neither parent is winning. While I am greatly comforted to hear this matter is under active review, the Minister of State should indicate when he expects changes, if any, to be made. Would this happen sooner rather than later?

See this speech in context