Niall Ó Donnghaile (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In the spirit of what the Minister has just said, I intend to make brief remarks on Second Stage and, with other colleagues, will assist him in facilitating the taking of all Stages of this important legislation.

Ireland has witnessed rapid social change in recent years, We saw the latest instalment of that change in the North yesterday when marriage equality became law and women's healthcare was decriminalised. Yesterday's changes in the North added to the changes which have taken place in this State in the context of marriage equality and women's health. These changes reflect a more compassionate, caring and changing society. I am in no way suggesting that people who are opposed to the changes, especially in the context of women's health, are not compassionate or caring people but the changes underway have the support of the vast majority of the people of Ireland, North and South. That majority must, of course, be mindful to be inclusive of those who remain unconvinced of the need for change and what is required to take place in the time ahead.

The Family Law Bill before the Seanad encapsulates the care and compassion for which people in this State voted and the people of the North who waited for a long, painful time for the changes that took place yesterday. I commend the people and organisations across Ireland that have campaigned for decades to ensure that all of us could be treated with respect and dignity. That day has finally arrived.

There are a number of elements of the Family Law Bill designed to recognise and overcome the difficulties that arise when relationships break down. It reduces to two years the minimum living apart period and makes provision for the recognition of divorces, legal separations and marriage annulments granted under the law in the UK in the event that the UK leaves the EU without an agreement. It gives legal certainty to the courts to grant, under specified circumstances, an application for spouses to apply for judicial separation or divorce. A corresponding provision will deal with the dissolution of civil partnerships. It also reduces to one year the current minimum living apart period of three years that applies to judicial separation applications in cases where the respondent does not consent to the decree of judicial separation being granted.

These are welcome steps forward to help people at very difficult and turbulent times and an emotionally highly charged situation and period in their lives. They will contribute to assisting people where and when that assistance is most needed. Sinn Féin will be supporting the Bill.