Results 221-240 of 16,057 for speaker:Mary Coughlan

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: Senators will recall raising an issue during the Second Stage debate on the proposed procedures for the solemnisation of marriage contained in the Bill. In my response I advised Members that my officials were actively engaged in discussions with interested parties with a view to resolving the issue. I also stated that my officials were seeking legal advice from the Office of the Attorney...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: This amendment seeks to correct a drafting error in the subsection to allow for persons or bodies to appeal against the refusal of an tArd–Chláraitheoir to register a person nominated by a body in the register of solemnisers.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The section provides for the registration of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity of marriage granted in the State. Currently, each court holds its own records of decree of divorce and civil nullity of marriage. There is no central database or repository of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity within the court system. Persons wishing to remarry, following the granting of such...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The section provides for the introduction of a new appeals system to enable persons to appeal decisions on the registration of events. It is both desirable and reasonable that an appeals mechanism be formally included in the Bill underpinning the central registration system as fair and open, addressing grievances in a timely, structured and impartial manner and confirming the principle of...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I disagree. The advice I have obtained from the Attorney General is that this would not add anything to the Bill, which complies with best practice as established.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: Senator Mansergh has answered the question. The registrar general and his officers have always facilitated those who wish to search the register. That, however, does not include the adoption index, a totally different record. "May" is the normal legislative form and its interpretation is "will be obliged to". Concerns were raised by the genealogical groups that were unfounded because I gave a...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: It must refer to something that has to be done. Section 35 deals with privacy and contains an imperative. It states that "No person other than an tArd-Chláraitheoir or a person authorised in that behalf by an tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be entitled . . ." It is a compulsory requirement that the person shall not have access unless there is a court order or the adoption society advises the...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: Section 35 provides for the transposition of the existing arrangements. As it stands, the Ard-Chláraitheoir can release such information only on the order of the adoption board and of the courts. As Members will be aware, the Minister of State, Deputy Lenihan, is examining a new adoption Bill. If a decision is made arising from that legislation which frees matters up and changes the modus...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: We are doing that.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The Senator referred to the older legislation. There were no indices at the time and when they became available it was possible to search them manually. They are now being transferred to an electronic format. Perhaps I am presumptuous in believing that some prefer to be turning pages than checking information on a computer, but the exact same information will be made available in either case....

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: We are not going down that road. The existence of the copies should address the concerns of those who raised the issue with Senator Brian Hayes. There is no legislative framework for moving the GRO to Roscommon. Equally, there is no necessity for it, nor is there any necessity in a legislative framework to have a facility available in Dublin. I have said — I believe the approach adopted is...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: They are slightly discommoded in trying to find the facility. Once all the information is available, we will have discussions with the OPW to identify a more appropriate location. Institutions such as the National Library, Trinity College and other buildings in Dublin would perhaps be more appropriate. I hope this addresses the concerns raised. Any information that was available will now be...

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: The woman was left out.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: I would like to assure the House that access to the original manuscripts will continue to be available. An tArd–Chláraitheoir will have jurisdiction over that but access will be made available to people in particular circumstances.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: Nearly, but not all.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: That is right.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: We are trying to marry the old with the new while at the same time ensuring that access to original documents is available in particular circumstances. At the same time, the view is that the Internet facility, as the Senator has said, will be of great benefit to people and give access from a worldwide perspective.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: We are only at the commencement stage and what is being referred to is the next phase. We want to do this correctly given it is so important and then we will be looking at developing the concept.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: It is given to parents.

Seanad: Civil Registration Bill 2003: Committee Stage (Resumed). (18 Feb 2004)

Mary Coughlan: All this information will be available under vital statistics legislation.