I thank the Minister of State for his reply. I am aware of the efforts being made to resolve the difficulties in this situation that effect both constituencies and will continue to so do. Whatever has created the problems, there is a need to restore public confidence in the system, particularly because of the various competing issues that confront parents these days having to go out to work and ensuring that their children are accommodated in terms of transport. I recall one of the most frustrating discussions I ev…

Will do.

The reason for this inquiry is to identify issues of a particular importance that arise from time to time and the need to respond by bringing forward the relevant meetings of the committees, if necessary, to deal with these. In particular, I mention housing, which is an ongoing issue that needs to be dealt with very regularly. I also mention health, which is an obvious one because we need to get back on a straight and level path with a view to identifying the issues at an early stage and with a view to resolution. …

I fully understand and appreciate the necessity of increasing the number of judges at the present time. The population is growing, the demands are growing, more and more cases are being referred to the courts and more and more cases have to be referred again and again to the courts. There are also a number of cases over which I would disagree with my learned colleague, where there are judicial reviews that could be handled in a different fashion without taking up the time and the expense of the courts. Put simply, …

I am aware of the separation of powers as well and I have referred to this aspect of due process and natural justice publicly before in the House.

It is up to the Leas-Cheann Comhairle to rule me out of order if she wishes, but I vehemently hold the views I have. This is because I have seen evidence which raises serious questions concerning the way in which women who are mothers of young children are being deprived of their rights under the Constitution. There is no other place to raise this question. I was challenged, in fact, by a solicitor acting for the other side in a case to disclose all my papers and to hand them over to him so he could use them as par…

We do, actually.

I will give the Leas-Cheann Comhairle an instance.

I am speaking about things that need to be dealt with, as I have a right to do, in the context of the increase in the number of judges and the issues that might be in the Bill that have been referred to in the past in the House and which continue to be brought to my attention. In fact, they have also been brought to the attention of other Members of the House. I do not, therefore, intend to breach the rule concerning the courts and the separation of powers at all but I also point out, with respect, that I remember …

Well, it is never possible to tell because stranger things have happened.

Stranger things have happened. I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle.

We should all acknowledge the tremendous organisational feat that the visit of the US President gave to this country and the world at large in highlighting the issues of importance today. It also provided a great opportunity to renew the vigour and forward progress of the original sentiments expressed in the Good Friday Agreement and the need for an urgent reappraisal of everybody's position to move that debate forward in a meaningful way, without offence to anybody.

The reason for this inquiry is to identify issues of a particular importance that arise from time to time and the need to respond by bringing forward the relevant meetings of the committees, if necessary, to deal with these. In particular, I mention housing, which is an ongoing issue that needs to be dealt with very regularly. I also mention health, which is an obvious one because we need to get back on a straight and level path with a view to identifying the issues at an early stage and with a view to resolution. …

Is this question being grouped?

Okay.

I have listened carefully to the debate and must say that I am appalled at the disgraceful disclosures. I am appalled that these incidents ever happened at all and that it has taken so many years to deal with them. That teaches all of us to be more alert to things that are brought to our attention when people complain about bullying, controlling behaviour or abuse in any shape or form. There is a need to deal with such complaints resolutely and quickly because the longer that behaviour is allowed to go on, the grea…

The Ceann Comhairle kindly allowed discussion on this and associated subjects over the past six or seven months, eventually to the benefit of victims. Apropos the discussion we have just had, allowing debate when none was available was of huge, groundbreaking importance. This matter relates to women who are mothers and who find themselves in particularly difficult family law situations. I refer to cases where the children and mothers - sometimes it is the fathers but more often it is the mothers - become the victim…

I thank the Minister of State and the Ceann Comhairle for facilitating this debate. The problem is, of course, that the two Departments act independently. As long as this happens, this abuse, controlling and bullying will go on, as will this attempt to disregard children. I know of one case where someone said they had come to the conclusion they did not believe what the child said. That is a strong statement, particularly after all the things that have happened in this country. I challenge the right of anybody to c…

I thank the Ceann Comhairle.

The Deputy is being supported here by Deputy Martin Kenny.