Alan Shatter (Dublin South, Fine Gael)

A number of the statutory instruments being laid before the House on today's Order of Business were made under the Civil Registration Act 2004. That particularly good Act was passed three years and ten months ago. Does the Taoiseach intend providing time to discuss any of these statutory instruments?

In the context of the legislation, is he aware that, despite the announcement on the website of the Department of Health and Children that since the beginning of November people can celebrate civil ceremonies of marriage in venues other than civil registry offices, the HSE is refusing to authorise any venue other than a registry office for marriages in Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow and does not intend to inspect any other venues until next July at the earliest? It appears the HSE, after three years and ten months, is incapable of fulfilling its own statutory function under this legislation. Will the Taoiseach do something about this? The Health Service Executive is effectively sabotaging the wishes of the House and undermining the launch the Minister engaged in to celebrate the fact that marriages can now be performed in less soulless places than civil registry offices. At the behest of the HSE, the entire population of counties Dublin, Kildare and Wicklow will not be allowed to avail of this option until next July at the earliest and, possibly, a good deal later.

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