Willie Penrose (Longford-Westmeath, Labour)
Link to this: Individually | In context

Question 221: To ask the Minister for Health and Children further to the recent commencement of the provisions of the Civil Registration Act 2004, the number of marriages booked in all registry offices in the Dublin mid Leinster region for 15 February 2008; if it is possible for a registrar in one Health Service Executive region to solemnise marriages in a different HSE region; if she is satisfied that proper plans have been put in place to ensure that there are the necessary provisions pertaining to staff or otherwise to ensure that solemnisation of marriages can take place at venues other than registry offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [29454/07]

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

Much of the Deputy's question relates to the delivery of civil registration services which are the responsibility of the Health Service Executive. Accordingly, my Department has requested the Parliamentary Affairs Division of the Executive to have this matter investigated and to have a reply issued directly to the Deputy. I can confirm that it is possible for a registrar in one HSE registration area to solemnise a marriage in another. I recently specified the matters which registrars must have regard to in approving venues for the solemnisation of civil marriages other than in registrars' offices and these are available on the website; www.groireland.ie. The implementation of these is a matter for the HSE.