Family law Bill receives broad welcome in political circles and media

The Children and Family Relationships Bill was finally signed off at yesterday’s Cabinet meeting and received a broad welcome across the political spectrum, as well as favourable coverage in this morning’s newspapers.

In The Irish Times, Carl O’Brien says the planned reform finally reflects modern realities.

The Bill will now go to the Dáil, where it will be taken at second stage next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday before going to committee stage, and back to the floor of the House for report and final stages.

It was initially supported to go to the Dáil this Friday and Monday and passed by March 2nd, but Government sources insist the early slippage will not cause major delays in having the Bill sent to the President by mid to late March.

All Opposition parties are in favour of the Bill - it is not yet clear which, if any TDs, actually oppose it - but the first warnings have already been sounded by Fianna Fáil, which says it has concerns that normal parliamentary procedure is being set aside to get it passed in time for the same-sex marriage referendum.

There has even been some noise of the Dáil sitting on St Patrick's week to get it passed. If that is to be the case, it is likely Frances Fitzgerald or her junior minister Aodhan O'Riordáin will have to stay at home to steer it through while the rest of their ministerial colleagues are off schmoozing with shamrocks in various world capitals.

However, the Seanad could cause more problems than the Dáil. The Upper House saw the most heated debate during the Protection of Life During Pregnancy Bill, with conservative senators such as Ronan Mullen and Jim Walsh making themselves heard and ensuring the abortion legislation did not get an easy passage.

Some in the Seanad count themselves as the few conservative voices in the Oireachtas. They are unlikely to let the Children and Family Relationships pass on the nod.