Fitzgerald commits to review of Irish divorce rules

Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald has committed to a review of the constitutional requirement to wait four years for a divorce in Ireland, The Irish Times reports.

Ms Fitzgerald said it would be “reasonable” to review the requirement, which has remained unchanged since divorce was first legalised in Ireland in 1996.

However, any changes would have to be approved by referendum because the four-year limit is included in article 41.3.2 of the Constitution.

Under current rules, a couple must live apart for a minimum of four years before seeking a divorce, although judicial separation is available after one year.

Ms Fitzgerald said: “It is time to review that, actually. It is there quite a while now and it is reasonable to review it.”

Former Justice Minister Alan Shatter added: “A fundamental review of this area of family law is required now all the fears of the anti-divorce lobby have over a period of twenty years been proven wrong.”