Joe Higgins (Dublin West, Socialist Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 213: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps he is taking to reform family law to ensure equality for all parties in the family law process. [38667/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

The Constitution requires that people who appear before our Courts in essentially the same circumstances should be dealt with in essentially the same manner. It follows that in the exercise of its judicial functions under various enactments, including those on family law, it is already the duty of the Courts to see that this principle of equality is observed. The Judicial Council Bill that I am proposing is designed to establish a Judicial Council which will have among its functions the preparation of a judicial code of ethics. No doubt the proposed Council will take the opportunity when exercising that function to re-enforce the application of the principle of equality.