Ciarán Cuffe
Question:287 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he intends reviewing the minimum age to get married here in view of the fact that the minimum age in Northern Ireland is 17. [3017/03]
Written Answers. - Marriage Regulations.
Under the Family Law Act, 1995, a marriage solemnised between persons either of whom is under the age of 18 years shall not be valid in law. This provision applies to any marriage solemnised in the State, irrespective of where the spouses or either of them are or is ordinarily resident, and to a marriage outside the State if, at the time of the solemnisation of the marriage, the spouses or either of them are or is ordinarily resident in the State. The High Court or Circuit Court may, however, grant an exemption from the age requirement.
The issue of the minimum age of marriage is among those which are to be considered by an interdepartmental committee on marriage law under the chairmanship of the Department of Health and Children. This committee is due to engage in a public consultation shortly.
Ciarán Cuffe
Question:288 Mr. Cuffe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to give legal status to pre-nuptial agreements. [3018/03]
I have no plans to bring forward proposals for legislation on pre-nuptial agreements.