Divorce within the Commission’s remit
Desmond pressed the Taoiseach to include divorce in the Law Reform Commission’s brief, arguing that studying nullity alone would not support coherent constitutional legislation. The Taoiseach called divorce highly political and said the Commission should produce results on its existing work; the Ceann Comhairle stopped the argument.
In relation to Question No. 8, why is the Law Reform Commission precluded as of now from discussing the question of divorce?
Comment on this
Is that the sum total of the assessment as to why it is not within the ambit of the Law Reform Committee?
Comment on this
They have been given the task of examining the question of nullity. That was by the Government which the Deputy supported.
Comment on this
Would the Taoiseach seriously consider extending the brief of the Law Reform Commission, an eminently capable and rather competent body, to permit them to include not only the question of nullity but also the question of divorce? Surely the Taoiseach will not lose a night's sleep on that.
Comment on this
I should like to see the Law Reform Commission producing results on what is before them.
Comment on this
Is the Taoiseach not aware that it will be extremely difficult for the Law Reform Commission to produce any coherent constitutional legislation pertaining to this urgent matter if they are merely confined to the question, or non-question in my opinion, of nullity?
