Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent)
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1184. To ask the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the reason the law restricts civil solemnisation exclusively to HSE-employed registrars; whether there are policy or safeguarding reasons underpinning this; if there are plans to review or update legislation (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [58394/25]

Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)
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There are three types of marriage provided for in the State: religious, secular and civil. In order to legally solemnise a marriage in the State a person must be nominated for registration in the Register of Solemnisers. Legislation provides that a person wishing to become a solemniser of religious or secular marriages must be a member of a recognised religious or a secular body in Ireland.

The Civil Registration Act 2004 allows for the solemnisation of civil marriages to be conducted only by registrars who are employees within the Civil Registration Service of the HSE. Under the Act the HSE are responsible for nominating solemnisers of civil marriages.

Any registrar can only solemnise marriages of the type that they have been nominated for.

Each religious and secular body has a registered nominator who is responsible for ensuring the details held in the Register of Solemnisers is accurately recorded by the General Register Office (GRO). The GRO maintains the Register of Solemnisers.

The registered nominator is responsible for ensuring their members included in the register are fully trained on the legal requirements to the solemnisation of marriages as provided for in the Civil Registration Act 2004.

There are no other provisions for persons to become registered in the Register of Solemnisers.

Any future review of marriage legislation will have regard to the issues raised in your question. I trust this clarifies the matter for the Deputy.