Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 116: To ask the Minister for Social Protection the requirements for persons who wish to have a civil ceremony of marriage or a civil partnership; if public notification of the ceremony at the chosen venue is mandatory; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20271/11]

Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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The requirements in relation to marriage and civil partnership are set out in the Civil Registration Act 2004 (as amended). Parties to an intended marriage or civil partnership must attend at a registrar's office to give three months notice of that intention, to sign declarations that there is no impediment to the marriage or civil partnership, and to provide proof of identity and capacity to marry or enter a civil partnership. The legislation provides that a marriage may be solemnised by way of a religious or a civil ceremony but that a civil partnership registration can be carried out only by way of a civil ceremony.

With regard to marriage, a civil ceremony may take place either at the office of the registrar or at a venue chosen by the parties to the marriage and agreed to by the registered solemniser with the approval of the HSE by reference to guidelines laid down by the Minister. In relation to civil partnership, a civil partnership registration may take place either at the office of the registrar or at a venue chosen by the parties to the civil partnership and agreed to by the registrar with the approval of the HSE by reference to guidelines laid down by the Minister.

In respect of any venue, other than the office of the registrar, whether for the purpose of marriage or civil partnership, it is required that a notice must be prominently displayed at the main public entrance to the venue at least 1 hour before the marriage or civil partnership and during the proceedings. The main purpose of the requirement for a public notice at a venue is to facilitate the making of an objection to a marriage or civil partnership as provided for in the Act referred to above.