Ireland is set to overwhelmingly back a reduction in the waiting time for a divorce.
With five constituencies left to declare, the 'Yes' vote is currently winning with 83.32% of the vote.
It means a huge majority majority of people have voted to remove the Constitutional requirement for couples to live apart for four years before applying for divorce.
Politicians will now be free to legislate as they see fit on the issue.
The Government has pledged to reduce the waiting period down to two years.
The ‘Yes’ vote will also ensure that foreign divorces are explicitly recognised by the Constitution.
“The divorce referendum is an important first step in the much needed reform of our family law." - NWCI welcomes resounding Yes vote in the #divorceref https://t.co/2vTxDNCqhL
— Womenscouncilireland (@NWCI) May 25, 2019
The National Women's Council said the result has paved the way to a more compassionate Ireland.
Director Orla O'Connor said a shorter divorce process is important for women who have faced domestic abuse – and is a first step in reforming our family law.
“It is so welcome to see such overwhelming support for removing restrictions on divorce,” she said.
“We are here seeing another referendum where Irish people are showing their compassiona and their support for families that are in difficult situations.
“So I think it is really significant.”
.@josephamadigan thanks the people of Ireland with a projected 87% yes vote in the divorce referendum. pic.twitter.com/uocvMTkTNV
— Kim Buckley (@KiiimBuckley) May 25, 2019
Speaking at Dublin Castle this afternoon, the culture minister Josepha Madigan thanked everyone who came out to vote in the referendum.
“I just want to say a go raibh míle maith agaibh to all of you who came out and voted for this referendum,” she said.
“It is going to help thousands of Irish people who are suffering from marital breakdown.
“I just want to say buíochas and thank you so much to all of you.”
Fantastic news from RTÉ’s exit poll on the #DivorceRef👉87% in favour!!👏
Clearly Irish people acknowledge marriages do break down & these people need to be shown compassion & shouldn’t have to wait 4yrs to move on.
Looking forward to results tomorrow. Thanks all who voted YES! pic.twitter.com/PK7jY07Y9p— Josepha Madigan ⚖️✨ (@josephamadigan) May 24, 2019
Keith Walsh from Lawyers for Yes says the result will ease some of the stress that comes with divorce.
“When you are in the waiting period you can’t move on with your life,” he said.
“To a great degree your are stymied or stuck; it is very difficult to have a new relationship if you are still in the house with your old partner.
“It is difficult also to co-parent the children and there is just a lot of wear and tear that comes with the end of a marriage.”
Counting is continuing in the local elections with calculations for the European elections due to begin tomorrow morning.
