Jim O'Keeffe (Cork South West, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the parts of the Civil Registration Act 2004 relating to marriage and marriage registration that have not been implemented; the objections that remain thereto; and when she expects the provisions of the Act to be fully operational. [34997/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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An tArd-Chláraitheoir, the Registrar General, is the person with statutory responsibility for the administration of the civil registration system in Ireland, including civil marriages. I have made enquiries with an tArd-Chláraitheoir and the position is as follows. The Civil Registration Act, 2004 provides for the commencement of the various provisions of the Act 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 2004 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: Work in all these areas is underway and is progressing well. There are no objections to the implementation of the marriage provisions that I am aware of.

In view of the number of complex tasks involved in preparing for the commencement of the marriage provisions, it is not possible to be definitive as regards a date for signing commencement orders, but it is unlikely to be before mid-2007. I would like to assure the Deputy that a comprehensive public information campaign will be undertaken at the appropriate time.