The new law to significantly reduce divorce waiting times and further weaken the bonds of marriage, legally speaking, has come into effect this week. The legislation that followed upon the Divorce referendum cuts in half the required waiting period for divorce from four years to two years and removes any need for a waiting time from the Constitution altogether meaning the waiting time can be further reduced in the future. Minister for Culture, Heritage, and the Gaeltacht, Josepha Madigan, who shepherded the Government’s campaign in favour of the change in law, celebrated the enactment of the legislation on Newstalk. Speaking to Mark Cagney, she called it a “significant achievement” by all those who campaigned for it and said it reflects “a kindness and understanding” that people have about other people’s situations.

The law took effect on Sunday.