asked the Minister for Justice the proposals, if any, the Government have for legislation to deal with problems arising from marriage breakdown.
Written Answers. - Marriage Breakdown.
30.
I previously made clear to the House that under consideration in my Department are proposals to amend the law on judicial separation. Those proposals, which are at an advanced stage of preparation, would extend the grounds for the granting of a decree of judicial separation. Consideration is being given to the question of giving the court a power in separation proceedings to make orders for maintenance, secured maintenance, lump sum payments and orders in relation to property owned by either spouse. The need for more informality in court procedures and for counselling is being taken into account in the separation proposals.
As the Deputy will be aware I have initiated two Family Law Bills, which are before the House at present, one to make certain amendments in the law on protection orders and the other to abolish the obsolete action for restitution of conjugal rights.
Beyond these measures and for reasons which have been explained previously in this House, I could not undertake to indicate by way of reply to parliamentary questions what specific legislative proposals I might bring forward in a particular area.