Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

This section does deal with a notification of marriage and the requirements set out in subsections (1) and (2) of section 46 are substantive requirements for a valid marriage. Provision is made in the Bill for an application to the courts for an exemption to the three month notification requirement, as Senators will be aware. However, where special or exceptional circumstances arise, the party can arrange with the registrar a place and time convenient for completion of the civil preliminaries for the marriage and the issue of the marriage registration form. In those circumstances, the registrar has the flexibility to facilitate a couple and determine a time and place to deal with the legalities. The flexibility is there to facilitate those unfortunate circumstances.