Séamus Healy (Tipperary South, Independent)
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Question 204: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when she proposes to commence the changes to the Civil Registration Act to allow registrars to officiate at wedding ceremonies at locations other than the registrars office such as hotels; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [3554/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The civil registration service has been engaged in a major modernisation programme in recent years, including conversion of historic records to electronic format and implementation of a new computerised registration system. This work, which is key to the implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004, is being carried out in phases and the stage has been reached when it will soon be possible to begin commencing certain provisions of the Act.

The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for the commencement of the various provisions of the Act on a gradual basis. It is anticipated that Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 of the Act, which relate to the restructuring of the service and the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths, will be commenced shortly.

The new procedures for marriage are set out in Part 6 of the Act and include universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages. Before these provisions can be commenced, a substantial body of work needs to be completed, including drafting of regulations, guidelines and detailed procedures; establishment of a register of solemnisers in co-operation with religious bodies; and the further development of the computer system to incorporate the new marriage provisions introduced by the Act.

In addition, the General Register Office is decentralising to Roscommon in April 2005, and this involves considerable effort to ensure the transfer of sufficient skills and corporate knowledge to enable the new team to provide an effective service from the new location. For these reasons, an tArd-Chláraitheoir is unable to give a specific date for implementation of the new marriage procedures, but it is unlikely to be before the end of this year. It is intended to give as much public notice as possible and a comprehensive public information campaign will be undertaken at the appropriate time.