I wish to raise with the Tánaiste again the issue of the continued persecution and prosecution of Irish mothers and their children in the family law courts, the degree to which an alien resolution is attempting to be imposed on the law here, for which there is no basis, and the urgent need for an inquiry into the effects of this on women and children and to make an interim arrangement whereby the persecution and prosecution is discontinued. This has resulted, in many cases, in arrests and imprisonment.

The Deputy has raised this matter before, and while I will let the Tánaiste respond in a moment, I wish to say that I have repeatedly pointed out to the Deputy the separation of powers. He is raising serious allegations across the border. I am not taking issue that he may be raising a serious issue, but the manner in which he is raising it means I will have to draw his attention once again to the separation of powers.

The courts are crossing the border.

I thank the Deputy and I appreciate that he has raised this issue before and has raised it personally with me. I also appreciate the separation of powers between the courts and the Legislature. I know that this is a matter that he has a great deal of concern about and my adviser will engage with him further on it and with the Minister for Justice.