Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State and the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this debate. The problem is, of course, that the two Departments act independently. As long as this happens, this abuse, controlling and bullying will go on, as will this attempt to disregard children. I know of one case where someone said they had come to the conclusion they did not believe what the child said. That is a strong statement, particularly after all the things that have happened in this country. I challenge the right of anybody to come to this conclusion.

We have all dealt with these family law cases at our various constituency clinics over the years. It does not take rocket science to come to a conclusion about what is going on in certain circumstances. As the matter drifts along, my intention is to bring it to the next stage, whatever that stage may be, if it is not dealt with in the way it should be dealt with, which is resolutely and quickly, to protect the women and their children. There should be no situation where the things that have been brought to my attention are allowed to happen unchallenged.

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