Luke Flanagan (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

808. To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality when the option of imposing the in camera rule will be taken away from our court judges in family law cases; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [46665/13]

Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Part 2 of the Courts and Civil Law (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2013 effects the most recent amendment of the statutory provisions in relation to the in camera rule for family law cases. It amends the in camera rule to allow press access to the courts in family law and child care proceedings subject to a strict prohibition on the publication of any material which would lead to the identification of the parties or children involved. The courts retain the power to exclude representatives of the Press or restrict or prohibit the publication of evidence given in the proceedings in certain circumstances.

The provisions, which will be commenced in the near future, aim to provide for a careful balancing of the need for privacy for persons involved in family law and child care proceedings with the need to ensure access to important information on the operation of family and child care law in our courts.