Jim O'Keeffe
Ceist:37 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the proposals, if any, he has to update legislation in relation to births, marriages and deaths registration. [20343/97]
Written Answers. - Registration of Births, Deaths and Marriages.
Responsibility for the updating of legislation in relation to the registration of births, deaths and marriages was assigned to my Department in July 1997.
The legislation in question dates back to the 1850s and needs to be thoroughly examined and overhauled so that a more modern civil registration system can be put in place to meet current and future needs. There are a number of other issues, such as the computerisation of General Register Office (GRO) data and the reorganisation of the GRO itself, which will have to be taken on board when updating the legislation. Consultations are ongoing with the relevant parties in this regard, including the Department of Health, which has overall responsibility for the GRO itself. The updating of the legislation will be a complex matter. I am not in a position at this point to state exactly how long this might take but the Deputy can be assured that I will bring forward proposals for the enactment of the new legislation as soon as possible.