Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

It is obvious that is it a good idea to allow some type of friend to accompany those involved in family law cases to hearings. People involved in organisations such as those mentioned by Senator Terry may fulfil such a role. One might want one's first cousin to attend as a supporter. We will have to deal with this matter flexibly. As Senator O'Meara said, if we make provisions by category, the worst possible person in the world might fit into a category. A person who is allowed to attend as a "researcher" might be researching a biography of one of the people involved in the hearing. One might not breach a person's privacy while sitting through a family law case involving him or her, but one could write a book afterwards that relies on the facts of the case but does not mention where they were sourced. We have to be very careful. When I return to this issue on Report Stage, I will take into account the views that have been expressed today.