Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 27 Feb 2002

Vol. 549 No. 4

Written Answers. - Legislative Programme.

Ruairí Quinn

Question:

225 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the Acts or sections or other provisions of Acts under the auspices of his Department or for the commencement of which his Department is responsible which have not commenced by reason of the fact that a commencement order has not been made; if it is intended to make such an order; if so, when; the reason for the failure to make such an order to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7174/02]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Ratification or signature by Ireland of an international agreement is a matter for decision by Government. The United Nations Convention of 1962, referred to in this question, has not been the subject of a Government decision to date. Currently, my Department and the Department of Health and Children are undertaking a programme for the modernisation of the civil registration service. As part of this process, I have responsibility for the review and modernisation of the legislation relating to the registration of births, deaths and marriages. As a consequence of the review, I propose to publish a new civil registration Bill later this year, which will modernise and consolidate the existing legislation and facilitate the introduction of new technology and organisational change.