Kevin Humphreys (Dublin South East, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising the issue. For the information of the House, I wish to confirm that the groundbreaking Child and Family Relationships Act was enacted earlier this year and is due to be commenced in the coming weeks which I am sure will be of interest to this House. It will better protect children and their families for decades to come. It also contributes to giving meaningful effect to the now constitutionally enshrined principle of the child's best interests and right to be heard which often was not automatically done in the courts in terms of looking at these cases. I think there is a need for specialisation for judges in terms of lower courts. The Minister is fully committed to doing so, as quickly as possible, and to getting the legislation to the Joint Committee on Justice, Defence and Equality for proper pre-legislative scrutiny. I hope to see the legislation enacted as soon as possible next year.