Cabinet ministers will this morning be asked to give the go-ahead to draft laws to reduce the waiting time for a divorce.

It comes after the passing of a referendum on the issue earlier this year.

Every constituency voted in favour of the divorce referendum in May.

Some 82.07% of people voted to reduce the period of divorce from four years to two.

It also recognises foreign divorces granted under the civil law of another State.

Just 17.93% of people voted against the measure, with turnout at 50.83%.

Justice Minister Charlie Flanagan will propose people wanting a divorce will have to live apart for two of the previous three years, instead of the current four out of five.

It will also allow the courts to recognise 'living apart' as two people living separate lives in the same home.

The bill also contains provisions to allow the legal system here to recognise divorces granted in the UK if there is a no-deal Brexit in October.

Reporting by Sean Defoe