Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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41. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality her plans to amend section 252 of the Children Act 2001 in view of a recent Court of Appeals judgement. [42425/20]

Helen McEntee (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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I would like to thank to Deputy for raising this issue that has arisen following the recent judgment in the case DPP v. E.C. and Media Outlets. 

Officials in my Department are currently examining options to address the main concerns arising from that judgment.

I would like to assure the Deputy that I am fully committed to finding the most suitable means to progress any necessary changes to rectify the situation as quickly as possible, irrespective of whether or not there is an appeal.

Any changes proposed to the Children Act will have to be consistent with the key principles of that Act, which is of course safeguarding the best interests of the child.