Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister. I also welcome this Bill, which I will be supporting on behalf of the Labour Senators. Like Senator Ó Donnghaile, I also, on behalf of the Labour party, support the shortened time period for debating the Bill. We have agreed to deal with all Stages today in the interests of getting the legislation through before 31 October, although we all hope that the scenario of a no-deal Brexit will not come to pass. It is a sign of the considerable impact of Brexit on this island that, even in the context of family law legislation, we are concerned with a no-deal scenario.

I am impressed by the level of detail in Part 3 in the context of to issues relating to Gibraltar and Denmark and noting the different issues that arise when divorces are granted in those countries. A significant amount of work has clearly gone into ensuring that all eventualities are covered in the event of a no-deal Brexit on 31 October. The Labour Party is supportive of that aspect of the Bill.

I also support the more general principle behind the Bill. I note the strong history of the Labour Party in moving towards progressive reform on divorce and the provision of laws around the dissolution of marriage in Ireland. It is interesting to reflect on the controversial history of divorce law in Ireland at a point when it is now so uncontroversial that there are so few people present in this Chamber.