Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage

 

10:30 am

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

To paraphrase another poet, Senator Norris never deviates into sense, except on this occasion on one point. He is right about appeals. Perhaps in the AHR legislation that we are being promised it could be dealt with under the heading of "Miscellaneous". To mix up contempt of court with sanction for an offence is simply not rational or logical, because contempt of court relates to punishing the failure to comply with a court order and disrespect for the courts system.

There has to be a sanction if there is a failure to keep records. Let us remember what that could mean - namely, that a child would never know who his or her genetic parent was. If that means anything, then the fact that the court would be required to make such an order would be, in effect, evidence of such a serious failure that there ought to be a prosecution in that regard. That is my only point. It is not inquisitorial except in so far as any piece of criminal law requires an investigation of some kind - hopefully not an inquisition.

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