Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 3 Oct 2000

Vol. 523 No. 1

Written Answers. - UN Conventions.

Ruairí Quinn

Ceist:

738 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs when Ireland will ratify the UN Convention of 1962 on Consent to Marriage, Minimum Age for Marriage and Registration of Marriage; if he will supply a list of the specific steps taken towards ratification of the convention since 26 June 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19513/00]

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

Signature or ratification by Ireland of an international agreement is a matter for decision by Government; however, the 1962 UN Convention, the subject matter of this question, has not been the subject of a Government decision to date.

Responsibility for reviewing and modernising the legislation in relation to the registration of births, deaths and marriages was assigned to my Department in July 1997. This review is taking place in the context of a major project to reorganise and computerise the General Register Office.

Following the review I intend to publish, next year a new Bill on the registration of births, deaths and marriages including divorce and nullity which will update the current body of legis lation and facilitate the planned organisational change.

There will remain substantive issue relating to marriage which are outside the scope of this review of legislation but which must be addressed. Accordingly, the Government has approved the establishment of an interdepartmental committee to agree an approach to the review of the legislation governing the registration of marriages and related issues. This committee will be established shortly.

The question of seeking Government approval for the State to accede to the UN Convention of 1962 on consent to marriage, minimum age for marriage and registration of marriage will be considered in the context of the committee's review of these issues.