Solicitor TD to propose referendum on quicker divorces

A referendum should be held to modify Ireland’s Constitution to allow quicker divorces, Fine Gael TD Josepha Madigan has said.

Ms Madigan, a solicitor and family mediator elected to the Dáil last year, is introducing a bill to provide for a referendum on reducing the time period before a court can grant a divorce from four years to two.

The private member’s bill, originally expected to be introduced last year, will go before the Dáil this Thursday, The Irish Times reports.

Ms Madigan has said both Taoiseach Enda Kenny and Justice Minister Frances Fitzgerald have expressed support for her bill.

She said: “Persons wishing to divorce have to wait four years to apply. If the parties have already separated by deed of separation or judicial separation this usually means they have incurred legal costs and the divorce application is an additional legal cost.

“I want separated couples to be treated fairly and humanely. Family law reform has focused on the ever changing nature of family. Marriage has been extended to same sex couples in a very positive and cross party supported referendum.

“I think it is time now to look at our separated brothers and sisters and examine whether the law could be changed.”