The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 was signed into law by President Michael D. Higgins on the 6th of April 2015.  We now await the commencement of this legislation.

The Government is preparing to activate parts of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.  The Act was signed into law by President Michael D Higgins in April 2015 but its provision will not come into force until formal commencement orders are signed. Some parts of the legislation will not be activated for at least a year.  Three departments – Justice, Children and Foreign Affairs – must sign separate commencement orders for the Children and Family Relationships Act to come into force. A spokesman for the Department of Justice, which is responsible for most sections of the legislation, said it was “proceeding with preparations” for the commencement of those parts but could not say when it would be done. The spokesman said the department was already in discussions with the Courts Service on the rules of court that would be needed to activate the provisions on guardianship, custody, access and maintenance.