Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 8 Oct 1996

Vol. 469 No. 5

Written Answers. - Marriage Registration.

Michael Bell

Ceist:

94 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Health the reason for the delay in the registration of the marriage of persons (details supplied) in Dublin 3 which took place in the Church of the Star of the Sea, County Meath, on 2 August 1996; if his attention has been drawn to the fact that the application was made on the relevant statutory form to the Registrar in Drogheda, County Louth, three months prior to the marriage and the couple was advised at that stage that the details were in order; if his attention has further been drawn to the stress that this situation is causing; his views on whether the error in this instance was not the fault of the applicants; the steps, if any, he has taken to rectify this matter; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17648/96]

Minister for Health (Mr. Noonan,

Limerick East): The administration of the registration system for marriages is primarily a matter for An t-Árd Chláraitheoir (Register-General) of Births. Deaths and Marriages and for local registrars who operate under this general direction. I am aware of the difficulties which have arisen in this instance and I very much regret the problems which these may have caused for the couple involved. I understand that an t-Árd Chláraitheoir has sought the advices of the Attorney General's office in relation to the legal issues, which arise from the error which has occurred in this instance, and every effort is being made to find an early and satisfactory resolution to the problem raised by the Deputy.