One Family has joined a coalition of national organisations calling for a YES vote in Divorce Referendum on May 24. One Family joined FLAC (Free Legal Advice Centres), the Irish Council for Civil Liberties (ICCL), Children’s Rights Alliance (CRA), the National Women’s Council of Ireland (NWCI) and the Lawyers for Yes to call on voters to support a referendum that will deliver a better divorce system for people who need it.

On 24 May, people will be asked to approve an amendment to the Constitution to remove the requirement for spouses to live apart for a minimum of four years out of the preceding five when applying for a divorce.  The new proposals would reduce that to two years out of the previous three. It is also proposed for the vote that foreign divorces are recognised here. There will be one question on the ballot paper and voters can either vote Yes to allow both changes, or No to reject both changes.

Voting Yes means we can…
– Remove harmful restrictions on divorce from the Constitution that cause uncertainty and conflict for families and children.
– Make a difficult process more compassionate and give a couple the time they need to make the decision that is best for them and their children.
– Recognise that the Constitution is not the right place to deal with complex personal relationships.

How will the proposed changes affect couples?
Voting Yes means that couples who have decided to get
a divorce will have greater clarity and certainty about their living
situation. A shorter process means that those escaping domestic
abuse will be able to protect themselves and their children better from
long term abuse from their former partner.

How will the proposed changes affect children?
We know that children do best with predictability and decreased
conflict between the parents. Voting Yes means children will have
greater clarity and certainty in relation to their situation.

How will the proposed changes affect the divorce rate in Ireland?
Ireland has one of the lowest divorce rates in the world and is likely to
continue to do so. Divorce will remain a process that couples will only
engage in after much consideration.