Foreigners could yet divorce here under own laws

IRELAND may yet agree to allow foreign couples to divorce under the laws of their own country in Irish courtrooms, Justice Minister Brian Lenihan intimated yesterday.

The proposal, debated by EU justice ministers when they met in Slovenia at the weekend, is designed to stop people shopping around Europe for the divorce law that best suits their position and penalises their partner.

Up to 20% of all divorces in the EU are between people from different EU member states and many of them are living outside their home country.