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

I welcome the fact that the Minister is to meet the GALs next week. My understanding from engaging with them is that legal representation always existed where they needed it. They could seek it and have it, and there was no issue in that regard. Now, however, they will have to seek it through an application to the service. If GALs were choosing to have or seeking legal representation without merit, it would make no sense because there would be nothing in it for them.
My concern is that a GAL who may be new to the role and who may or may not be an expert witness must face at least one at two legal representatives on the other side when in court. I raised this with officials of the national service when we met them. They were good enough to come in and brief the committee. I was told that if there is an issue in court and something happens, legal representation will be reconsidered. That is not to the benefit of the child in any shape or form. That is the concern being raised, and it is being raised in a genuine way.

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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