Conducting a forced marriage is to become a criminal offence under proposals to be brought to Cabinet today by Tánaiste Frances Fitzgerald.

Forced marriages are not currently crimes in themselves, even though consent on both sides is needed for a marriage to be recognised in court. The Minister for Justice will today seek Cabinet approval to include the new measures in the draft of the Domestic Violence Bill.

New offence

The new offence will also criminalise conduct which causes others to enter into forced marriages, including removing or luring someone from the State. The legislation will also aim to cover cases where a forced marriage takes place outside the State, and will set out the penalties for committing the offence.

While the department acknowledges there has been “very little” public debate on and limited evidence of forced marriages, the proposals are said to be a priority for Ms Fitzgerald.

‘Very hidden’

Government sources said forced marriages are a “very hidden” practice and a lack of evidence does not mean they are not happening.

A strategy was published earlier this year to focus on domestic, sexual and gender-based violence committed to creating an offence of forced marriage. It is seen as a big step in paving the way to allow Ireland ratify the Istanbul Convention on Preventing and Combating Violence against Women and Domestic Violence.