Paschal Mooney (Fianna Fail)

This is my final observation. I quote the Minister's comments on Second Stage:

It may also be worth examining whether there is a case for the Registrar General to have a role in the designation process. Under the current system, bodies may apply to the Registrar General. If the Registrar General refuses to register a person or cancels an existing registration, the affected person may appeal this decision to the Minister [as she outlined in the cases she mentioned]. In the circumstances, it would appear reasonable for the same system to apply.

While I presume it cannot be dealt with under this legislation, has the Minister given any further thought to it?

Regarding support for marriage as an institution, it has often been said that states in general facilitate to an extraordinary degree the solemnising of a union between two people without having any safeguards or bells and whistles attached. In other words people are not required to satisfy any criteria. Senator Walsh mentioned the Catholic Church's practice of obliging people to take pre-marriage courses. It is amazing that the State does not provide ongoing support for marriages. It provides support for marriages that have, unfortunately, broken up or failed, which is commendable. However, the State does not involve itself in ensuring that people are suitable for marriage. I know it is an age-old question. I ask the Minister to address the specific question of her comments on the registrar.