Guardians Ad Litem
Dail Éireann — 2026-02-19
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Claire Kerrane (SF), Roscommon-Galway

I thank the Minister. I want to be very clear that the national service is needed. I have no issue whatsoever with it and do not believe the vast majority of GALs have either. However, with regard to what is being proposed under the national service, legal representation has been raised by GALs. I take their point because they have decades of experience in some cases. It is really important that we listen to them.
I cannot understand why the provision exists. Is there an understanding that GALs are choosing to have legal representation that is not needed? Of course, it is not needed in every case, but I could not understand why a GAL would look for legal representation unless it was needed. This is all for the child; there is nothing in it for the GAL. It is all about the child and representation for the child in court. What is the rationale for what is being done now?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-02-19/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-14T04:54:40+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-02-19