Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment seeks to include the Child Abduction and Enforcement of Custody Orders Act 1991 among the list of relevant enactments coming within the terms of section 31(1) of the Bill. The term "relevant enactments" means those provisions for the hearing of family law matters other than in public. Section 1(2) of the 1991 Act provides that the Courts (Supplemental Provisions) Acts 1961 to 1988 and the 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 provides that justice may be administered in public in minor matters and is a relevant enactment under section 31(1) of the Bill. As I am informed of the matters already covered, the amendment is not necessary.