The administration of the registration system and the operation of the general register office is a matter for An tÁrd Chláraitheoir, the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages. An tÁrd Chláraitheoir has advised that there has been an increased demand for certificates of entries of births, deaths and marriages in recent times. While his office has managed to maintain a normal service to callers, the postal and authorisation services are somewhat in arrears. Additional resources have been provided and the postal backlog in respect of applications for certificates for post-1900 events, in particular, has been reduced from nine weeks to approximately six weeks. It is anticipated that a further improvement will be achieved by the end of this week. Priority is being given to these applications, as such certificates are more likely to be required for other services.