Mediators are in increasing demand in Ireland. Here are a few examples of the work they are undertaking:

Tallaght Community Mediation scheme was established in 1994 and deals with a steady stream of neighbour disputes referred by local authorities, the Garda and community workers. Up to 95 per cent of cases are successful and the agreement reached can be verbal, written and/or brought to a solicitor to be made legally binding. Tallaght is also the location for the country's first Victim Offender Mediation programme currently in the planning stage.

In Bantry, Co Cork, a Centre for Dispute Resolution has been established to help the local community produce a Charter for Coastal Zone Management that will ensure the suitable development of the bay area. Grant-aided by the EU, the project is one of a number of consensus-building European initiatives.

The national Family Mediation Service for separating and divorcing couples is expanding. When completed there will be a full-time office in Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Galway with part-time mediators in Dundalk, Athlone, Wexford and Tralee. The service is grant aided by £1.2 million, an increase of £300,000 in 12 months.