Paudge Connolly (Cavan-Monaghan, Independent)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 255: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if members of the Muslim community here, many of whom have acquired Irish citizenship, are exempt from registration of their marriages here, as provided for by the Civil Registration Bill 2003, Part 6, sections 45 to 50, inclusive; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2136/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context

An tArd-Chláraitheoir, the Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration system in Ireland, including the registration of marriages. I have made inquiries with an tArd-Chláraitheoir and the position is as follows. The Civil Registration Bill 2003 was enacted as the Civil Registration Act 2004 in February 2004. The Act provides for the commencement of the various provisions on a gradual basis. Parts 1, 2, 3, 5 and 8 of the Act, which relate to the administration of the service and the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths, were commenced on 5 December 2005.

The new provisions for marriage are set out in Part 6 of the Act and include universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages, as well as a choice of venue for civil marriage ceremonies. Before the provisions can be commenced, a substantial body of work needs to 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 in the Act. An tArd-Chláraitheoir is unable to give a specific date for the implementation of the new marriage procedures but it is unlikely to be before October 2006.

Upon commencement of the new marriage provisions, all marriages taking place in the State, civil or religious and irrespective of the nationality of the participants, will be entered in the register of marriages, provided that the regulations and procedures provided for under the Act are adhered to. There are no provisions in the Act to allow any marriage solemnised under the legislation to be exempted from registration.