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Material in this file relates to the drive to amend the Constitution in respect of the prohibition of divorce (10th Amendment to the constitution), including in relation to the referendum in Ireland held on 26/06/1986, and consists predominantly of correspondence from professional individuals and organisations (1980s). It includes correspondence (with Mary Robinson unless otherwise stated) from Jean Tansey, Chairperson, Labour Women's National Council 24/04-17/10/1980; Patrick Quinn, The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland, 15/10/1980; William [Duncan?], 198[0?]; Jesuit Rev Edmund Grace, which included a typed article by him "Divorce and the Natural Law: An Irish Comment", 25/06/1980-21/01/1981; Peter McDermott, Secretary, University College Dublin Branch, Labour Party, 28/01/1981; from John O' Connor to Michael Roberts which included draft chapter of Divorce Information book covering Church attitudes, 12/06/1981; from Pat Conway, Administrator, Women's Aid in relation to need for refuge shelter, 28/10-18/10/1981; from Rev Ramond Field, Director, Catholic Marriage Advisory Council (CMAC), 12/1981; from Professor Desmond Greer, Faculty of Law, Queen's University Belfast, 05/01/1982; from Magda O'Farrell Heuston, Women's Divorce Support Group [03]/1982; from Barry Desmond, Minister for Health and Social Welfare, 17/02-04/03/1983 in which MR lists her criticisms of the terms of reference for a Joint Committee on Marriage Breakdown; from Anne Williams, Trisha Mc Kay, Anne Andrews for AIM [Action Information Motivation] Group 23/06/1983, 07/11/1986, 26/02/1987 including comments from Andrews on the Judicial Separation and Family Law Reform Bill, 1987; photocopies of correspondence from Wenda Edwards, Chairperson, Family Aid [formerly Women's Aid] to Nora Greene, Community Care Services, Eastern Health Board, 15-22/11/1985; correspondence from Patrick Malone, member Family Solidarity, 18/03/1986; from Daniel O'Sullivan in relation to a programme aired "Today tonight" on the Divorce Referendum (24/04/1986), which was also sent to the press, 29/04/1986; from Aiden Waterstone, Vice President for Public Relations, Irish Association of Social Workers, 06/06/1986; circular "The Divorce Amendment" sent to University of Dublin (Trinity College Dublin) alumni from the three Dublin University Senators MR, Catherine McGuinness and Shane Ross, 12/06/1986; correspondence from Dermot JM Sherlock, Recorder of Alumni, University of Dublin, complaining about use of outdated addresses when "the Divorce Amendment" circular was sent out, 20/06/1986; from Bishop Brendan Comiskey of Ferns, which includes his statement on the Divorce Referendum, 24/06/1986-01/07/1986; from Sean Redmond, Chairman, ICCL [Irish Council for Civil Liberties], 198[?]; from William Duncan, 25/02-05/03/1987; photocopy of letter from Carmel Gilbride, Development Officer, Marriage Counselling Service Ltd., re celebrating its 25th anniversary, 20/10/1987 and copy of their submission to the Joint Committee on Marriage Breakdown from Paul McMahon, Chairman 07-08/03/1988 and circular from Family Lawyer's Association relating to seminar with topic "Family Law - the taxation implications", 07/04/1989.

It also contains a folder labelled "8th Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1980", consisting of some correspondence and draft Bills drawn up by MR and sent to members of the Labour Party, which aimed to offer a way to remove the prohibition on divorce (16/04-12/05/1980). This is not to be confused with the 8th Amendment relating to abortion referred to elsewhere (see P143/1/3/1/2/5).

Correspondence between Mary Robinson and members of public relating to change in Divorce Laws including individuals seeking assistance in their own cases and those objecting/supporting the introduction of Divorce in Ireland.

Some material is restricted due to sensitive and personal nature of contents.

[Please consult archivist to enquire about access to restricted material.]

This file consists of typed copies of statements and contributions by Mary Robinson (MR) and others in relation to Divorce Law in Ireland. It includes contribution by MR "Divorce - Time for Action", Liberty Hall, Dublin 22/04/1980, with notation; address by Right Reverence Monsignor Gerard Sheehy, press release and abstract of address by Justice Costello, The Incorporated Law Society of Ireland Symposium on The Family and The Law, 11/10/1980; report on Family Law workshops, Council for the Status of Women seminar, 15-16/11/1980 and draft recommendations, 21/01/1981; speech by Senator MR "Divorce: Labour's Commitment", to Dublin Regional Council, Liberty Hall, 03/12/1981; summary of contribution by MR at public meeting on Divorce, Dub Laoghaire, 11/03/1982, Liberty Hall, Dublin 12/03/1982, Malahide, 11/06/1985; statement by the Tánaiste and Leader of the Labour Party, Dick Spring TD [Teachta Dála, member of Dáil Éireann, lower house of Irish Parliament] , in relation to the Oireachtas Committee on Marital Breakdown, 24/06/1983; press release from Irish Association of Social Workers, 01/05/1986; "The Divorce Referendum", speech by Barry Desmond TD, Minister for Health, at Labour Party Selection Convention, Dub Laoghaire, 08/05/1986; "Divorce - A Response to the Bishops", summary of contribution by MR, at public meeting organised by Divorce Action Group, Malahide, 14/05/1986; "Divorce - The Right to Remarry", summary of contribution by MR, at public meeting organised by Divorce Action Group, Victor Hotel [Dub Laoghaire], 29/05/1986; press statement, [lawyers for Family Law?], 30/05/1986; "Divorce Referendum - A Watershed for the Country", summary of contribution by MR, at Divorce Action Group meeting, Coolmine Community School, Dublin 05/06/1986; "The Courts, The Constitution and The Family", two-part article for the Irish Times, MR, [06/1986]; statement from The Anti-Divorce Campaign, "We Reject the Tenth Amendment", May 1986; statement on behalf of the Workers in the Women's Aid Refuge, "Who are currently in dispute with the Council of Women's Aid". [02]/1989; Labour Women's National Council, Family Law Sub-Committee interim statement on Nullity/Divorce, 19[7?].

Material in this file relates to the 10th Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1986 and consists of drafts and copies of the Bill as initiated, as introduced and as passed by both Houses of the Oireachtas and copies of explanatory memorandum, correspondence between Mary Robinson (MR) and Michael O'Leary, TD [Teachta Dála, member of Dáil Éireann, lower house of Irish Parliament], and Mervyn Taylor, TD, (02-31/10/1985) and typed copies of speeches and statements including statement by MR "Motion on Marital Breakdown and Divorce Issue", making clear she would not accept Labour's three-line whip in the Senate, [summer 1985?]; statement by Mervyn Taylor, introducing text of the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1985, Powers Hotel, Kildare St, Dublin, 03/11/1985; copy of speech delivered by Alan Dukes, Minister for Justice, for Second Stage of Tenth Amendment, Dáil Éireann [lower house of Irish parliament], [05?]/1986, and summary of contribution by MR for Seanad Éireann [upper house of Irish parliament, Senate] Debate on Tenth Amendment, [05?]/1986.

This file consists of research material including reports, articles and handwritten notes relating to Divorce and Family Law and may be related to an all-party committee of the Oireachtas established by the parties in Government to report and recommend on the problems of the "protection of marriage under modern conditions, and of marriage breakdown, and on any legislative or constitutional action that may be required", as per copy of extract from Programme for Government, 06/1980. It includes a submission to the Oireachtas Committee on Marital Breakdown prepared by a Sub-Committee of the Irish Association of Social Workers, 01/1984; draft report "Dissolution of Marriage", 198[?]; typed copy of proposals for new legislation relating to joint ownership of the family home from AIM [Action Information Motivation] Group for Family Law Reform to Minister for Justice, Michael Noonan, 198[?]; ringbound documents "Domestic Proceedings in Magistrates' Courts" 27/11/1980, and "Financial Provision on Divorce", 12/1980, Judith M. Eve, Faculty of Law, Queen's University Belfast; speech by Alan Shatter, for Law Society Conference, 11/10/1980.

Official reports of Seanad Éireann Parliamentary Debates 22,23,24/5/1986, which includes the Tenth Amendment of the Constitution Bill, 1986: Second Stage.

This folder, labelled "DAG" [Divorce Action Group], consists of material relating to the group which was set up in 1980 to advocate for divorce as a personal right and which campaigned for a YES vote in the 1986 referendum, and includes correspondence between the group and Mary Robinson, flyers, brochures, agendas, reports and a poster 09/04/1980-29/03/1987.

This folder consists of pamphlets, brochures and booklets including a booklet on Family violence published by Women's Aid, 1981; photocopy of newsletter for Family Law Reform Group, 01/1983 and campaign material both for and against the Divorce Referendum, 1986.

Material relating to launch of pamphlet on Foreign Divorce, by AIM Group for Family Law Reform, including summary of speech made by Mary Robinson (MR), cuttings and correspondence from Trisha McKay, Administrator, 30/04-16/05/1990; material relating to the International Academy of Matrimonial Lawyers annual meeting, Dublin, 05-09/09/1990 including schedule, summary of address given by Professor William Duncan, and letter of invite to MR to chair a panel from Catherine [?] 30/08/1990.

Material relating to the Marriage and Family Institute later to become the Clanwilliam Institute of which Mary Robinson (MR) was a Trustee, including memo on articles of association, annual report, correspondence, cuttings, flyers, material relating to the Family mediation service, summary of presentation by MR at Marital Breakdown Conference, Dun Laoghaire, 05/09/1986 and summary of speech by MR at formal opening of Clanwilliam Institute, 12/06/1989.