Michael Woods
Question:70 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Health the number of notifications received under section 32 of the Family Law Act, 1995, prior to 1 August 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17306/96]
Written Answers. - Family Law Act, 1995.
Michael Woods
Question:71 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Health the steps, if any, that were taken to notify the public of the important change in the regulation of marriages under section 32 of the Family Law Act, 1995, which came into effect on 1 August 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17308/96]
Limerick East): I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 71 together.
The administration of the registration system is a matter for An t-Árd Chláraitheoir (Registrar General) and for local registrars who operate under his general direction.
I understand that the number of notifications of intention to marry under section 32 of the Family Law Act, 1995 served on registrars of marriages prior to 1 August 1996 was 7,661.
A number of steps were taken to ensure that the public were informed about the new three months notification requirements under section 32 of the Family Law Act, 1995 and the other changes pertaining to marriages, including the minimum age requirements. These steps included a press conference on 18 April 1996, to publicise the new requirements and the procedures which had been put in place throughout the country to facilitate compliance, the production of information leaflets by the General Register Office setting out the new requirements and the provision of application forms for the convenience of couples, which listed contact telephone numbers for registrars of marriages throughout the country. In addition there was a major information campaign on radio, in national and provincial newspapers, specialist publications, Aertel and the Internet.
Prior to the official launch of the new procedures on 18 April 1996 contact had been made at an early stage with all the major churches, religious groups and registrars of marriages, who were supplied with copies of information leaflets and notification forms to ensure that couples who had already begun to make arrangements for marriages scheduled to take place after August 1 were informed of the new requirements.