asked the Minister for Justice if he is prepared to introduce amending legislation to provide for a substantial increase in maintenance orders for deserted wives.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Maintenance Orders.
140.
Proposals for increasing the maximum rates of allowance which the district court may award in desertion cases are included in the scheme of a courts Bill which is at present being considered by the Government.
Can we expect an early decision on the part of the Government in relation to deserted wives and maintenance orders for them? I am conscious of the Minister's concern vate sectors apart from general national in this matter, but it is a regrettable feature that this social problem seems to be swept under the carpet. We all know the virtual impossibility of effectively ensuring the taking out of the maintenance order in Britain and the deserted wives have to live on home assistance poverty in Ireland while their husbands depart abroad.
The new Bill to which I have referred will, I expect, be going to the draftsman during the next two weeks. It is a very comprehensive Bill. While I say that this is being covered in this Bill, in our circumstances it will not really be effective until we can get reciprocal legislation in the British Parliament dealing with the particular problem.
Would there be any possibility of the Minister's considering opening up discussions between himself and the British Home Secretary on this question? I appreciate that both the Minister for Justice and the Minister for External Affairs would have a direct interest and concern in the matter. Would there be any hope of reciprocal discussions between the Minister and the Home Secretary as soon as possible?
I did take the opportunity, in confidence, of speaking to Lord Gardner, the Chancellor and the British Attorney General on this issue. They promised co-operation. I understand that the schedule for legislation in the British Parliament—like our own but worse—is very tight and it is difficult to get legislation through. I shall again approach these people on this issue.