asked the Minister for Justice if he intends to introduce legislation to abolish the discriminatory action of criminal conversation, if so, when, and, if not, if he intends to comply with the law reform recommendation on the matter.
Written Answers. - Criminal Conversation.
327.
I have already publicly stated that I am in no doubt that, in so far as the law in this matter applies differently to men and women, it should be changed.
Equality of treatment may, however, be provided for in a number of different ways. The provisional recommendation of the Law Reform Commission—I assume that the Deputy is aware that it was a provisional recommendation on which comment was invited—does of course involve the ending of the present legal action and the introduction of a new type of action which, apart from being non-discriminatory as between the spouses, would also be available for the benefit of children of the marriage.
The final recommendation of the commission is not yet available and I am not in a position to indicate what the Government's attitude may be.