Tim O'Malley (Limerick East, Progressive Democrats)

The amendment we are considering today to introduce provisions for protection of the disclosure of information in the health service will allow employees to know that they will be listened to, will not be penalised in the workplace for speaking out in good faith and will be protected from civil liability in making disclosures in good faith, and that disclosures will be examined.

In respect of the amendment to Schedule 3 of the Freedom of Information Act 1997 it is important to remove any doubt about the appropriate right of access under that Act to information held by health bodies. The provisions of the amendment stem from a former review under section 32 of the Act and reflect the recommendations of the Information Commissioner and the report of my Department to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Finance and the Public Service.

The amendment to Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, deals with the law relating to marriages. Under section 51, a marriage must be solemnised in a place open to the public. Sadly it may not always be possible for a person who is seriously or gravely ill and who wishes to marry to attend a public venue. We all hope that such circumstances are extremely rare but we need to ensure that provision is made for those who find themselves in such circumstances. As outlined, the proposed amendment to section 51 will remove the requirement that the venue be open to the public where the appropriate authority is satisfied, on the basis of a medical report, that one party is, or both parties are, too ill to attend a public place and gives approval to the person solemnising the marriage for holding the marriage elsewhere.

In human terms, the amendment will mean a tremendous amount to people in difficult health circumstances. Apart from this incalculable benefit, it is important that any question mark be removed in respect of section 51 so Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act overall can be commenced as planned, thus ensuring the modernisation of the marriage registration service, as envisaged by the Act.

I look forward to Report Stage of the Health Bill 2006, during which I have no doubt there will be a very useful and constructive examination of the amendments.

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