asked the Minister for Health the circumstances whereby a marriage certificate was issued by the registrar of marriages in Limerick city in respect of a ceremony performed for a couple, one of whom was already lawfully married to a citizen of this State and still residing in this State at the time of this ceremony; and if he will take the necessary steps to ensure that those circumstances will not recur.
Written Answers. - Issuing of Marriage Certificates.
575.
In the absence of particulars which would positively identify the case in question, I could not comment on the circumstances of this case. In general, any person may search the records and obtain a certified copy of any entry in the register of marriages on payment of the relevant fee. It is not a function of a registrar of marriages to decide on the validity of any marriage. If a registrar has reason to believe that a marriage referred to him for registration is invalid, inquiries are normally made to have the matter clarified before proceeding with the registration.