Joanna Tuffy (Labour)

I support the comments made by Senators Brian Hayes and O'Toole about the nurses' work to rule and threat of further industrial action. I stress the need for both sides to meet for the sake of everyone affected by the dispute. We should support all efforts made in this regard.

I also support the call made by Senator Brian Hayes for a debate on the National Children's Hospital in Tallaght. The issue is also important to people in my constituency which adjoins the Senator's.

Articles were published today and yesterday in The Irish Times by the family law reporter, Carol Coulter, and John Waters regarding a speech given by Ms Coulter at a conference on the role of children in divorce proceedings. I wish to speak about the general issue rather than dwell on the details of the two writers' debate. Senator Browne recently raised this issue when he called for a debate on the status of divorce ten years after the referendum. Such a debate would be important and could be based on the report recently presented by Ms Coulter regarding the family law courts. We should investigate what needs to be done to reform the system of family law. This issue affects a large number of people. Having worked in the area of family law, I am not happy with the system and I am aware that both women and men share my opinion.

Children should not be involved in court proceedings where at all possible, and alternative methods should be available to deal with these issues. I have proposed that we consider the measures introduced in this regard by Australia. Senator O'Toole also referred to that country, which is obviously taking several imaginative initiatives. Australia has done a lot of work in terms of trying to introduce a better system for dealing with family disputes. Family relationship centres have been established on a strong funding basis and a family relationship freefone number and on-line resource have been made available. The centres, which act as one-stop-shops for issues such as families that are breaking down or parents who are separating, allow people to avail of mediation, alternative dispute resolutions and parenting arrangements. I strongly argue that Ireland should take a similar approach. If we hold the debate Senator Browne and I seek, we will have an opportunity to air these views. We should promote co-parenting, alternative dispute resolutions and mediation as well as providing the supports and funding necessary for those approaches.