Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
845 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Health and Children when he expects the full implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004; the details of the expected date of effect of each separate provision; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21968/04]
View answerThe civil registration service has been engaged in a major modernisation programme in recent years which includes conversion of all historic registration data to electronic format, development and implementation, on a countrywide basis, of a new computerised registration system. This work, which is key to the implementation of the Civil Registration Act 2004, is nearing completion. The Civil Registration Act 2004 provides for the commencement of the various provisions of the Act on a phased basis. It is anticipated that Parts 1,2, 3, 5 and 8 of the Act, which relate to the restructuring of the service and the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths will have been commenced by the end of 2004.
The new procedures for marriage are set out in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act and include universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages. Before these provisions can be commenced, a substantial body of work needs to be completed, including, regulations, guidelines and detailed procedures; establishment of a register of solemnisers, and the further development of the computer system to incorporate the new marriage provisions introduced by the Civil Registration Act.
In addition, the General Register Office is decentralising to Roscommon at the end of 2004, and this involves considerable effort to ensure the transfer of skills and corporate knowledge to the new team. For these reasons An tArd Chláraitheoir is unable to give a specific date for implementation of the new marriage procedures, but it is unlikely to be before the middle of 2005. It is intended to give as much notice to the public as possible and a comprehensive public information campaign will be undertaken at the appropriate time.
An tArd-Chláraitheoir is in touch with the Adoption Board in relation to the implementation of Part 4 of the Act, establishment of an electronic register of adoptions, and with the Courts Service in relation to the implementation of Part 7 of the Act, establishment of a register of decrees of divorce and decrees of nullity. However, it is not possible at the present time to give specific dates when these provisions of the Act can be implemented.
