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About time

Obsolete laws scrapped: Now we can say whatever we like about Henry VIII's marriage plans

Too soon?

Updated at 9.10pm

A RAFT OF obsolete regulations and laws are being cut from the Irish statute book as part of major overhaul.

It’s part of an ongoing programme to cut the dead wood from Irish law and ensure the stock of legislation is simplified.

The obsolete orders being removed with the passing of the Statute Law Revision Bill 2015, include…

  • A Proclamation of 1533 warning anybody who criticises the marriage of Henry VIII to Anne Boleyn.

shutterstock_118288078 Shutterstock / Neftali Shutterstock / Neftali / Neftali

  • A Proclamation of 1612 which included the prohibition of single women keeping taverns

shutterstock_182695085 Shutterstock / Jack Frog Shutterstock / Jack Frog / Jack Frog

  • A Proclamation of 1678 providing that taverns, tippling houses and tobacco shops be removed from the vaults and cellars of Christchurch Cathedral, Dublin.

CHRIST CHURCH STRUCTURE CATHEDRALS Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland Eamonn Farrell / Photocall Ireland / Photocall Ireland

  • A Proclamation of 1693 prohibiting all trade with France.

shutterstock_142729081 Shutterstock / auremar Shutterstock / auremar / auremar

  • A Proclamation of 1712 for the apprehension of nuns settled in Dublin

shutterstock_272648798 Shutterstock / Volodymyr Baleha Shutterstock / Volodymyr Baleha / Volodymyr Baleha

The Bill has now completed its passage through the Oireachtas, and goes to President Higgins for signature.

According to junior minister Simon Harris:

“As legislators and custodians of the statute book, we should see our obligations as extending beyond the creation of new legislation to also include the review and removal of that which is no longer necessary.”

Read: A pint in the Stag’s Head listed in top 50 ‘must eat experiences’ >

Read: ‘Violent outrages’ and ‘general humiliations’ targeted as thousands of obsolete laws cut >

 

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