Seán Haughey (Dublin Bay North, Fianna Fail)
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659. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if she will permit civil marriage ceremonies to commence again particularly in certain circumstances (details supplied); if registry offices can be set up for social distancing; if teleconferences can be used for such ceremonies; if consideration will be given to providing protective plastic screens in registry offices; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10062/20]

Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)
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Due to current restrictions to support of public health initiatives, access to the Civil Registration Service offices is greatly restricted and civil marriage ceremonies cannot proceed, other than in exceptional circumstances, involving the risk of death to one of the parties to a marriage.

The Health Service Executive (HSE) is responsible for the day-to-day operations of the Civil Registration Service. The General Register Office, which falls under the aegis of my Department, is liaising with the HSE to put plans in place for the resumption of services, including the provision of civil marriage ceremonies in line with the Government's roadmap.

I understand that provisional plans involve the re-opening of local Civil Registration Offices from 29th June to facilitate the completion of the legal preliminaries for marriage. , A further extension of services to conduct civil ceremonies from 20th July is also planned. This is subject to strict adherence to social distancing recommendations and each registration area will introduce safeguards, depending on each office's specific needs.

With regard to marriages taking place by teleconference, the Deputy should note that this would require changes to legislation. Currently all parties to the marriage are required to be in attendance in the presence of the registered solemniser, who are each then required to sign the necessary paperwork immediately after the ceremony.

I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.