Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I join the Deputy in commending the organisations he mentioned. I had the pleasure of meeting almost all of them when we had them in the Department to discuss how we will develop the new domestic, sexual and gender-based violence agency. The Deputy supports the agency and we intend to legislate for it shortly. I hope to bring the draft legislation to Cabinet within a month and have it up and running by next January. I cannot stress enough that interim orders are dealt with immediately. I await with interest the report from the Courts Service and the broader issue the Deputy raises. I look forward to receiving it so I can gain a full understanding of the issues.

Two issues arise as regards some of these matters. One relates to family law. As the Deputy knows, we have secured approval for the Family Courts Bill 2022. The Bill is on Second Stage in the Seanad. It will result in a radical overhaul of the family courts system, which will help to improve matters for vulnerable families in many ways.

The Deputy is also right on judicial numbers. I have received the report of the judicial planning working group and I do not intend to sit on it. I hope to bring it to Government in the coming weeks and to publish it very shortly thereafter.

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