LAW AND THE IRISH PSYCHE - THE CONFLICT BETWEEN ASPIRATION AND EXPERIENCE

Irish family law is highly aspirational in character being based on the idealised model enshrined in Articles 41 and 42 of the Constitution. At the same time there is a good deal of tolerance for deviation in practice from the normative principles, a phenomenon which also surfaces in the area of abortion. The question is addressed whether this reveals anything of significance about the Irish psyche. The conclusion is that false caricature should be avoided and that there is a need to understand the complex character of Irish attitues to law.