Madam, - The publication this week of the Law Reform Commission's consultation paper on Alternative Dispute Resolution is both timely and welcome.
The critical role of mediation in the resolution of family disputes is something which the Family Support Agency (FSA) has long advocated. For the past 22 years, the Family Mediation Service has assisted couples through what are extremely difficult circumstances for all parties involved in family breakdown. In 2003 the Family Mediation Service came under the remit of the FSA.
The Law Reform Commission's consultation paper, in focusing on the importance of mediation, recommends that the training and accreditation of mediators should be based on agreed international standards, building on existing accreditation structures already in place in Ireland. High standards are set by the FSA for the professional training of family mediators in the agency. We look forward to making a submission on this issue in our general submission.
The commission's invitation for interested parties to make submissions based on its provisional recommendations is commendable. We would encourage anyone with an interest in this area to read the commission's consultation paper at their website, www.lawreform.ie .
While in some cases litigation is inevitable, mediation should be fully explored in the first instance to consider it as an alternative option.
Family mediation has the potential to minimise the pain associated with separation and divorce. The fostering of this debate by the Law Reform Commission is hugely significant. - Yours, etc,
PAT BENNETT, Chief Executive, Family Support Agency, Earlsfort Terrace, Dublin 2