Marriage loophole for minors aged 16-18 set to be closed

The Government is set to approve the closure of a legal loophole which allows minors aged between 16 and 18 get married.

The loophole, which permitted children in certain special circumstances to get married, is being closed on foot of concerns by welfare groups.

They argue that there is a risk of young women in certain ethnic groups being forced into marriages and at risk of coercion and violence.

Traveller advocacy group Pavee Point said it welcomes the move to close the loophole as they are committed to the minimum age being 18.

Caoimhe McCabe of Pavee Point said that while this move is not specifically aimed at Travellers, they fully support any measures that help children remain in education.

According to CSO figures, 387 minors married at the age of 16 or 17 between 2004 and 2014, which is believed to be a higher number in proportion to other countries.

Tánaiste Joan Burton and Minister for Justice Frances Fitzgerald will today seek approval to draft legislation to remove the underage exemption for marriages.