Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail)

I listened to the Minister's contribution and felt he struck the right note of balance. Based on his own legal background, it underlined many of the complexities involved and the harmonisation that must occur between the exercise of pre-nuptial agreements and the law as it exists at present. That note has been also struck by Senators O'Meara and Mansergh, which may be important at the beginning of the debate.

Nevertheless, I compliment Senator Browne on putting his head above the parapet, as this is a debate that should take place, particularly in the context of some recent high-profile weddings in Ireland. Members will have read about the pre-nuptial agreements involved. People are debating and discussing the question of how the law of the land stands regarding pre-nuptial agreements. If Members look back on one of the referenda on divorce, they may recall that inheritance rights set off alarm bells for women in particular that, to some extent, sounded the death knell of that referendum. It is now accepted inheritance rights are protected and this must be Members' primary interest.

I am unsure whether Senator Browne contributes to Hello magazine.