Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 135: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the position with regard to inter-church marriages; if they can be celebrated in churches of religions other than those of the parties to the marriage; and if there are legislative proposals in this regard. [14476/05]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An tArd-Chláraitheoir, Registrar General, is responsible for the registration of all life events, including marriages. I have made inquiries with him concerning this matter and the position is set out below.

The position under current legislation, primarily contained in sections 38 and 39 of the Matrimonial Causes and Marriage Law Ireland (Amendment) Act 1870, is that a marriage may be solemnised, in the case of a mixed marriage, only in a church of the same religion as that of the clergyman or clergywoman solemnising the marriage.

Upon the commencement of the marriage provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004, the requirement will be that all marriages, other than civil marriages, must be solemnised only at a place chosen by the parties to the marriage with the agreement of the registered solemniser concerned. In the case of civil marriages where the venue is not the office of the registrar, the proposed venue must be approved by the Health Service Executive in accordance with any prescribed guidelines which may be issued.