Guardians Ad Litem
Dail Éireann — 2026-04-23
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Norma Foley (FF), Kerry

I do not for a single second underestimate the importance of the powerful advocacy of guardians ad litem . They are hugely important. This process is to ensure that they have the appropriate supports, the appropriate regulation and that everything is as it should be. I reiterate that for many years there have been calls to examine this system to see how we can do better and to ensure that the voice of the child is very much at the centre. They are a very powerful resource. I do not take from that in any shape or form.
The Deputy raised the legal representation. There has been, and there will be, no question in terms of access to legal representation. Advice will be available at all times and a head of legal has recently been appointed. If the guardians are party to a case, are bringing a case or it is a special care application, they will automatically also have legal representation. With regard to their independence, there are many examples of bodies under the aegis of one Department but being entirely independent. I want to be clear that the purpose here is to ensure it is a service that does as it sets out to do and the voice of the child is heard. We are doing all we can to ensure this would be the case.

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-04-23/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-08-27T06:54:48+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-04-23