Josepha Madigan (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I raise the Family Courts Bill, which, as the Taoiseach knows, was published without pre-legislative scrutiny. It is well-intentioned but short-sighted in a certain respect, particularly with regard to moving divorces and separations, etc., into the District Court. Not only the Family Lawyers Association of Ireland and the Bar of Ireland but also Safe Ireland and Barnardos have concerns, particularly around the erosion of the good work the Department of Justice, the Taoiseach and the Minister, Deputy McEntee, have done in respect of domestic, sexual and gender-based violence. Some 6,000 or 7,000 divorces and separations will come into the District Court per year. We must hear the views of those with practical experience of the courts. I was a family lawyer for 20 years and have extensive experience in the courts. It is not correct to move the jurisdiction for divorces and separations to the District Court. They should remain in the Circuit Court. We should improve and build on the work the Government has already done in respect of extrajudicial services, digitisation and support staff.

I have asked the Minister, Deputy McEntee, for a meeting on this topic and she has agreed. It is important that this issue is considered before the amendments are completed and put to the committee.

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