Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage

 

10:30 am

Photo of Frances FitzgeraldFrances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

One can assume that the Minister would need objective fact on the threat that would be there. When we were discussing the circumstances, as I said, I was legally advised that I needed to include the exception. The exception would be in very particular circumstances of safety. In response to Senator Healy Eames, it is for the child who is looking to access the information.

As for examples, it could be with regard to death threats. There could be a question of involvement in organised crime. These are so exceptional. I am not being, as was stated, "coy" about not describing it. I am merely saying that, legally, I was advised that I needed to include this. We are talking about exceptional circumstances.

Of course, if the Minister refuses based on the objective information that was supplied to him or her to release the information, then there is still the possibility of court. That is really all I have to say on that.

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