asked the Minister for Justice if he will impress upon the British authorities the need for introducing necessary legislation on a reciprocal basis to deal with husbands who have deserted their homes.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Deserted Wives.
14.
The British authorities have been made fully aware of the urgency, from our point of view, of having reciprocal legislation enacted to deal with this problem. I myself have raised the matter direct with the appropriate Ministers in London and officials of my Department stressed the need for early legislation in the course of recent talks in London.
I understand that considerable progress has been made in the preparation of the necessary legislation in Britain, but it is not possible at present to give any indication as to when it will be introduced.
15.
asked the Minister for Justice if he will take steps to have amended the existing district court law which only permits a maintenance allowance of up to £4 per week in the case of a deserted wife.
Proposals for increasing the maximum rate of maintenance allowance which the district court may award to deserted wives are included in the scheme of a Courts Bill which is under consideration by the Government at present.
Will the Minister indicate any figure he has in mind to substitute for the present amount?
It is a matter for Government decision. It is under consideration.