I raise again the disgraceful treatment of women and their children, and indeed some men, before the family law courts who are consistently subjected to extraordinary treatment, leaving only one outcome. In view of the most recent information made available to me by the Department, the situation has taken a different and much more serious turn. I have referred this information to the Ministers for Justice and Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, but it would appear that at least a preliminary inquiry should be carried out to ascertain the full extent of what is happening before it reaches the serious consequences of a major national scandal.

I am not fully aware of the details behind or the range of cases that might have given rise to the comments the Deputy has made. I will discuss this with the Minister for Justice and alert him to the Deputy's raising the issue on the floor of the House and how he feels there are serious matters of public interest that need to be reflected upon.