Helen McEntee

This action is being taken in order to address the main issues arising out of the Court of Appeal ruling in DPP v EC and Media Outlets and would amend s.252 of the Children Act 2001. 

The ruling in the case has also prevented the naming of the person accused or convicted of the manslaughter or murder of the child.  

Ms McEntee said: “As soon as the impact of the Court of Appeal ruling was brought to my attention I committed to finding the most expeditious way of addressing the issues arising.

“The profoundly negative impact the ruling is having on grieving parents, unable to remember their deceased children’s names or legacies in public, is very clear to me.

“I am determined to work to change this as quickly as possible and to give parents back their voice so they can speak publicly about how they want their children to be remembered. This is only right and it is only fair.”

She secured the backing of Cabinet to support the Children (Amendment) Bill 2020, proposed by Senator McDowell in the Seanad. The Government will now propose amendments to the Bill to ensure it delivers its shared aim.

Ms McEntee added: “I have been working with Senator McDowell and Deputy Jim O’Callaghan on this issue and we all agree that a collaborative approach is the right one to take. Now that we have agreed to progress Senator McDowell’s Bill I urge all members, across both Houses, to do likewise so that we can get it enacted and achieve our shared goal.”

The Cabinet also agreed, in light of the urgency of this matter, that the Bill will be taken in Government time in the Seanad in the coming weeks with a view to its enactment as soon as possible.