On 7 March 2018, during questions on promised legislation, I raised the issue of the Rights of Grandparents Bill 2013, which did not proceed through the Oireachtas. This Bill was intended to deal with issues around grandparents' access to children, and sought to provide for the continuous development of the relationship and bond between a grandparent and his or her grandchild. The Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 was enacted. The problem I have, and the Taoiseach also stated in his reply that he had the same issues in his constituency, is that grandparents who have fallen out with in-laws have no access to their grandchildren. On 7 March, the Taoiseach promised a more detailed answer. Grandparents have called to my constituency office and want to know what is the reply. The Taoiseach stated that he was aware that the matter is deeply upsetting for them. When can I expect a more detailed reply to the question I asked on 7 March?

I acknowledge the importance of the point raised. He is correct to say that we enacted the Child and Family Relationship Bill last year.

I agree with him that it is important that we recognise the rights of grandparents. I would be happy to sit down bilaterally with Deputy Fitzpatrick if he requires more detail on the initiative in this regard and I would commit to doing so at an appropriate time over the next couple of days.