Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I think all colleagues will want to join with me in condemning the shootings in Denmark at the weekend coming so soon after the terrible killings in France in the wake of the Charlie Hebdo affair.I note there is now a most unfortunate atmosphere of fear and intimidation around the issue of free speech. We had a meeting in Trinity College last night on that topic, which had obviously been arranged for some time. There was a heavy security presence because the issue is now seen as one attracting violence. It is something we should all condemn in the interests of democracy and free speech.

I welcomed the publication and approval by the Cabinet today of detailed provisions of the children and family relationships Bill. Those proposed measures have already been through pre-legislative scrutiny at the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality. I look forward to the debate we will have on that Bill, so perhaps the Leader can say when it is likely to come before the House. I understand that it will go to the Dáil first, probably next week.

The legislation deserves a general welcome. Indeed, at the committee hearings it received a general welcome from almost all stakeholders and NGOs. It is a child-centred reform of family law designed to meet the needs of children living in diverse families. It will give children greater rights in those diverse families. It will provide for parentage, guardianship, custody and access in a reformed manner across a range of family situations. I welcome that positive step forward.

I also welcome the policy on small schools announced today by the Minister for Education and Skills, Deputy Jan O'Sullivan. It is a new policy to support sustainable school communities. The Minister spoke of having attended a small rural school herself, as I did in Cork. The Minister referred to two new elements in the policy, both of which are hugely important. They involve improved changes to the staffing schedule in small schools and a voluntary protocol for future sustainability for one-teacher schools, with reduced enrolments. That is a key issue and I look forward to a debate on the new policy.

I welcome the launch of the Labour Party's marriage equality referendum campaign last Thursday, as well as today's launch of Labour Youth's campaign in support of the marriage equality referendum. I know that other parties and groups will be launching their campaigns in the coming days and weeks.