Cecilia Keaveney
Ceist:103 Cecilia Keaveney asked the Minister for Health and Children about the civil registration modernisation programme on marriage; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9439/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThursday, 25 March 2004
Ceisteanna (103)
Freagraí scríofa
The new procedures for marriage are set out in Part 6 of the Civil Registration Act 2004. It introduced universal procedures for notification, solemnisation and registration of marriages. The new provisions amount to a substantial modernisation of the provisions that currently apply, many date back to the 19th century.
The administration of the registration system is statutorily a matter for An tArd-Chláraitheoir or the Registrar-General of Births, Deaths and Marriages and the Superintendent Registrars and Registrars who operate under his general direction.
The Register-General is committed to ensuring that the new provisions are brought into operation as soon as possible. Over the coming months, the General Register Office will undertake the wide range of measures required to achieve this, including all necessary consultations with the churches and other bodies. It will also inform the public of the changes to the new marriage procedures.