Mediators issue call for Mediation Bill at opening of new Dublin office

The president of the Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII) has called on TDs to support the publication and enactment of the Mediation Bill as she opened the organisation’s new headquarters in Smithfield, Dublin.

Speaking at the official opening, president Sabine Walsh said: “We urge all members of the 32nd Dáil to support the publication and enactment of the Mediation Bill at the earliest possible opportunity.

“The Mediation Bill, although cited in the last Programme for Government, published in draft form in 2012 and supported by all sides in the 31st Dáil, failed to reach the floor of the house.

“Given the nature of the new political landscape, there is a great opportunity for this Dáil to demonstrate its effectiveness by enacting the Mediation Bill, which would divert many civil and commercial disputes from our courts and save billions in the process.”

She pointed to cost savings identified by Tom Ward, chief clerk of the Dublin Circuit and District Courts, during a pilot mediation programme that ended on 31 August 2013.

Mr Ward reported 831 cases reached agreement, resulting in saving an estimated 11.33 per cent of court sitting time and annual savings of €119,476 in courts service costs plus €225,164 in legal and board costs. The programme has now been extended in Dublin and Cork.

Ms Walsh said: “The Mediation Bill would oblige lawyers to advise clients to consider mediation to resolve legal disputes. Our move to site our headquarters here in Smithfield provides us with the ideal base to collaborate proactively with the legal profession in the development and promotion of mediation.

“The fact that so many representatives of the legal profession have attended this evening’s opening demonstrates the professional interest in mediation. Our task now is to complete the job of making mediation an integral part of Ireland’s dispute resolution system and thereby making this cost effective, confidential and highly successful dispute resolution process readily available to everyone.”