Written answers

Wednesday, 11 May 2005

Department of Health and Children

Civil Registration Service

9:00 pm

Photo of Jim O'KeeffeJim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 167: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children when it is proposed to provide for the commencement of the marriage provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004 allowing marriages to be solemnised in a place chosen by the parties to the marriage with the agreement of the registered solemniser. [15623/05]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An tArd Chláraitheoir, Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for civil registration in Ireland. I have made inquiries of the Registrar General and the position is set out below. The Civil Registration Service has been engaged in a major modernisation programme in recent years, including conversion of historic records to electronic format, implementation of a new computerised registration system and organisational reform. 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 where 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. Preparatory work for the commencement of parts I, II, III, V and VIII of the Act is at an advanced stage. The new procedures for marriage are set out in Part VI 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 must be completed, including drafting and publication of regulations, guidelines and detailed procedures, establishment of a register of solemnisers in consultation with religious bodies, establishment of a register of approved venues for civil marriages and the further development of the computer system to facilitate the administration of the new marriage provisions introduced by the Act.

In addition, the General Register Office decentralised to Roscommon recently and considerable efforts are ongoing to ensure the hand over of sufficient skills and corporate knowledge to enable the new team to provide an efficient service from the new location. For these reasons, the Registrar General is unable to give a specific date for the 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, incorporating guidelines and registration procedures regarding marriage venues, will be undertaken at the appropriate time.

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