Twelve months after divorce became legal under Irish law what has been the experience?
Divorce was signed into law in Ireland on 17 June 1996 following a referendum held on 24 November 1995.
The first divorce granted by the courts was in January 1997, one month ahead of the official date that it was due to come into effect on 27 February 1997.
Since that time, the courts have not granted a flood of divorces. Despite the numbers of people experiencing marriage breakdown remaining the same, only three hundred and sixty couples have been granted divorces to date.
Experts are of the opinion that legal costs may be a barrier, as there has not been a change in the number of barring orders issued, or maintenance costs cases.
Dr Tony Fahy of the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) believes that the current process as it stands is not the ideal way to deal with marital breakdown. He believes it is a,
A very antiquated, inadequate system.
The Free Legal Aid Board has received one thousand applications for divorce in the past year, and it already has twelve hundred applications currently being processed in the courts.
Waiting lists are growing, but as Frank Goodman of the Free Legal Aid Board explains some cases receive special treatment,
Domestic violence or difficulties over children...would get priority.
Labour TD (Teachta Dála) Ruairi Quinn who advocated for divorce as a civil right says that now the legal framework is in place for,
People whose marriages have broken down can bring the failed relationship to a finality.
Professor William Binchy who was on the main spokesman for the anti-divorce movement during the referendum says it will take time for people to get used to a new reality, but,
I think the culture will change.
An RTÉ News report broadcast on 18 February 1998. The reporter is Tony Connelly.
