Mediators welcome Dáil’s approval of Mediation Bill

Sabine Walsh, president of the MII, said: “The Bill has been in gestation for over seven years and the MII has been campaigning for such a Bill almost since the Institute’s foundation 25 years ago.

“This is a significant milestone for the development of mediation in Ireland and an official recognition by the State of the contribution mediation can make to the improvement of dispute resolution systems in Ireland.”

Ms Walsh (pictured) added: “The Bill will make mediation more available and deliver better resolutions, at a lower cost, to those who are involved in disputes.

“Enactment of the Bill has the potential to divert many civil and commercial disputes from our courts and deliver major savings to individuals and the public purse.

“Whilst the MII recognises that the Seanad now has the important task of considering and scrutinising the Bill, we would encourage Seanadóirí to expedite its passage as soon as possible so that potential of the Bill can begin to be realised through its enactment.”