HE Government has been urged to allocate funding for a new family law court complex in Smithfield.
Organisations behind the ‘Courting Disaster’ campaign say they have formed a coalition to highlight the “archaic” conditions under which family law and childcare cases are currently being heard in Ireland.
Groups involved in the campaign include Barnardos, the Rape Crisis Centre, Children’s Rights Alliance, Family Lawyers’ Association, FLAC, Women’s Aid, the National Women’s Council Ireland, One Family, the Bar of Ireland and the Law Society.
Speaking in the Seanad last week, Fianna Fáil’s Lorraine Clifford-Lee highlighted the need for a functioning courts system and said she fully supported the ‘Courting Disaster’ campaign.
Senator Clifford-Lee stated: “A number of organisations have called on the Government to allocate funding for a dedicated family law court at Hammond Lane in Smithfield because they have described the conditions as ‘archaic’. I fully support the groups who have been calling for a new family law court. Some of the most vulnerable members of society seeking to resolve family law issues must do so in entirely inadequate conditions and this is something that needs to be urgently addressed.”
She added: “The current conditions are bringing added stresses and anxieties to families engaging with the court services. What we need to see is a new building complex that incorporates family-friendly spaces and consultation rooms. I would urge the Government to urgently address the current situation and put in place funding to allow families privacy and support.”