Mediators’ Institute welcomes Government commitment on Mediation Bill

The Mediators’ Institute of Ireland (MII) has welcomed a Government commitment to publish the Mediation Bill as a matter of priority.

Sabine Walsh, president of the MII, said: “I welcome the announcement that the long awaited Mediation Bill has been included in the Legislative Programme as Priority Legislation for publication during this Dáil term.

“The timing of this announcement is a great fillip for mediation in Ireland and comes just ahead of Mediation Awareness Week.”

Mediation Awareness Week, from 10-15 October, will involve more than 30 events across Ireland, promoting the benefits of mediation and the opportunity it offers to resolve conflict outside the courtroom.

Ms Walsh said: “This legislation will promote mediation as a viable, effective and efficient adjunct to court proceedings and the enactment of the Bill has the potential to divert many civil and commercial disputes from our courts and save billions in the process.

“There appears to be widespread political support in the Oireachtas for the Bill and the MII now looks forward to working with the government and opposition parties to fine tune the Bill and expedite it as efficiently as possible through both houses of the Oireachtas.”