Brendan Smith (Cavan-Monaghan, Fianna Fail)
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1767. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection her plans to enable members of an organisation (details supplied) to act as solemnisers for marriage ceremonies in view of the fact that such persons have undergone the necessary training and achieved the competency to act as independent celebrants; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [36891/17]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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The legal basis for the appointment of marriage solemnisers in Ireland may be found in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004, as amended.

Section 54 of the Act provides for the categories of bodies that may apply for registration of persons on the Register of Solemnisers maintained by an t-Árd Chláraitheoir (the Registrar General).

These are:

(a) The Health Service Executive for the registration of a registrar employed by the HSE,

(b) A religious body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body, and

(c) A secular body (as defined) for the registration of a member of that body.

I have made enquiries of the Registrar General, in relation to this, and have been informed that no application has been received from the organisation referred to by the deputy. If they wish to apply, under one of the categories provided for, they should contact the General Register Office at the following address:

General Register Office,

Government Offices,

Convent Road,

Roscommon,

Co. Roscommon,

F42 VX53.