Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

This amendment seeks to include the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991 among the list of relevant enactments in section 31(1) of the Bill. The term "relevant enactment" means those provisions for the hearing of family law matters otherwise than in public. Section 1(2) of the 1991 Act provides that the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts 1961 to 1988 and that Act, in so far as it affects the jurisdiction or procedure of any court in the State, shall be construed together as one. Section 45 of the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Act 1961, which provides that justice shall be administered in public in minor matters is a relevant enactment under section 31(1) of the Bill. I am informed that the matter is already covered and that the amendment is not necessary.