To ask the Minister of Finance for an update on the reform of divorce and dissolution of civil partnerships in Northern Ireland.

Mr O'Dowd (The Minister of Finance)

With your permission, Mr Deputy Speaker, I will group questions 1 and 6. In May 2024, the Assembly supported amending the law on divorce and dissolution by adopting a no-fault system. The then Finance Minister, Dr Caoimhe Archibald MLA, began the process of amending the existing law. When I took over as Finance Minister in 2025, I undertook that process, initiating a public consultation. When the consultation closed last autumn, I circulated policy proposals for amending the current law to my Executive colleagues. I believe that those proposals reflect and respect the diversity of the consultation responses. The proposals that were circulated seek to reduce unnecessary conflict by removing the requirement to assign blame when a relationship has broken down. That can help couples to resolve matters more constructively; shorten what can otherwise be a lengthy and distressing process; and, most important, support better outcomes for children by encouraging cooperation rather than confrontation between parents. The objective is not to diminish the importance of marriage or civil partnerships but to ensure that, where relationships have irretrievably broken down, the legal process is as fair, dignified and family-focused as possible. Unfortunately, despite repeated requests, I have been unable to obtain the Executive’s agreement to proceed. It is a matter of regret that it is now too late to progress legislation on this important issue in this mandate, but I will continue to advance the case for reform, and I hope that the process resumes early in the next mandate.

Ms K Armstrong

I thank the Minister for his answer. During the debate on the Second Stage of the Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill, the Minister stated that he had been trying to table a paper to the Executive on no-fault divorce and it was blocked. When did the Minister last attempt to bring the paper to the Executive?

Mr O'Dowd

It was several weeks ago — perhaps a couple of months ago. At that stage, we were up against the deadline to get legislation through the Assembly. I am not sure of the exact date, but it was within that time frame. The reason that I have not tried since is that it simply would not get through the legislative process in time.

Mr O'Dowd

I believe that, in my proposals on the way forward, I have accommodated the views that have been expressed without undermining anybody's principles or stated views on the matter. I believe that I have accommodated concerns that were raised to me by Ministers and in the consultation process, yet and all the process has not proceeded to the point that it would need to be at for legislation to be passed in this mandate.

Miss Hargey

Following on from the previous question, Minister, will you outline why you are committed to and believe that it is important to remove fault grounds from divorce and dissolution proceedings?

Mr O'Dowd

As I said, the objective is not to diminish the importance of marriage or civil partnerships but to ensure that, where relationships have broken down, the legal process is as fair, dignified and family-focused as possible. I want to see reform, just as, almost unanimously, the Assembly wanted to see reform in May 2024. I am mindful of the range of views expressed during the consultation, and I responded by tweaking the paper that I brought to the Executive to recognise some of those views without breaching any principle relating to the matter. I believe that there is a way forward whereby we can ensure that we have a divorce system that meets 21st-century needs and expectations and respects civil partnerships and marriages.