Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

We have to specify it by regulation. It takes into consideration a number of other issues, in particular, section 46 which states:

A marriage solemnised in the State, after the commencement of this section, between persons of any age shall not be valid . . . unless the persons concerned—

(a) (i) notify any registrar in writing in a form for the time being standing approved by an tArd–Chláraitheoir of their intention to marry not less than less 3 months prior to the date on which the marriage is to be solemnised, or

(ii) are granted an exemption from the application of sub-paragraph (i) under section 47 and give a copy of the court order granting the exemption to any registrar before the date aforesaid.

The approval of an tArd-Chláraitheoir must be given. The issue is that there may be a necessity to introduce a regulation.