More women than men are are asking to be divorced.
After many years of debate, controversy and referenda, divorce was finally signed into law in 1996.
At the time it was predicted that the new legislation would bring a flood of divorce applications.
David Bergin, family law solicitor, says that it had been projected that there would be about 80,000 applications. However, this was not the case.
In 1999, 3,240 applications were made and 2,444 were granted.
The number of women applying for a divorce last year was double that of men.
David Bergin explains that in many cases men are more reluctant to make an application for divorce as they are unsure how the courts will divide up property and finance.
Women also outnumber men by four to one when it comes to seeking a judicial separation.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 28 February 2000. The reporter is Orla O'Donnell.
