Modernising family law structure will bring greater transparency while protecting need for privacy.

Fine Gael Dun Laoghaire Deputy, Mary Mitchell O’Connor, has welcomed the publication on 19th March by the Minister for Justice, Alan Shatter TD, of the Courts Bill 2013. The Bill will see the in camera rule, which prevents members of the public from sitting in on family court hearings being altered.

“The in camera rule, while designed to take account of the sensitive nature of family law proceedings, is outdated and in need of reform. The publication today of this Bill by Minister Shatter will pave the way for bona fide members of the press to attend family court hearings, while continuing to pay heed to the delicate nature of family law cases and the need for privacy to be respected.

“This will allow for greater transparency in how cases are conducted and will give the public an understanding of how the family courts operate. We are entering a new era in terms of child protection in this country and this legislation will help to remove the element of secrecy that has existed until now when family law and child care proceedings are being heard.

“The Programme for Government commits to modernising aspects of family law and I am happy that the Minister is taking action in this regard. The Courts will still retain the power to exclude representatives of the press from proceedings and to instruct journalists about what can and cannot be reported. In all cases, it will be prohibited to publicise any material which identifies the parties to the case or the children who are central to proceedings.

“Family law cases are never easy and involve a considerable amount of stress and upset for those involved. I first raised this issue with Minister Shatter last July and am happy that so much progress has been made on the issue since that time. I will be continuing to press him on other areas of the family courts’ structure which I feel are in need of attention. The Government has given approval, in principle, for a referendum to be held on the restructuring of the Courts, which could see the establishment of a new, separate Family Court structure. This would, I believe, result in a far superior service for families and for child care proceedings down the line.”