Tommy Broughan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)
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142. To ask the Minister for Health when all sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will be enacted; the timeframe for full enactment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21596/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy may be aware, the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 has 12 Parts, containing a total of 180 sections. The commencement of the Act is the responsibility of a number of Departments including the Department of Justice and Equality, the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Department of Children and Youth Affairs. As the responsibility of the Department of Health relates solely to the commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the Act, I can only respond in respect of those two Parts.

A number of technical drafting issues have come to light in relation to Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. The implications of these issues are being explored by officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General, and as these discussions are ongoing, I do not wish to pre-empt the outcome by citing specific details. I would be happy to arrange a briefing for the Deputy on the substantive issues in due course.