Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 3 December 2015
84. Deputy Denis Naughten asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection the action she will take to address the effective prohibition of marriages involving citizens from outside the European Union; if she is aware that the constitutional rights of Irish citizens are being denied as a result of the failure to fully implement the provisions of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [43387/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was signed into law in December 2014 and contains a wide range of provisions.
The provisions related to preventing marriages of convenience taking place in the State were commenced on 18 August 2015. However, due to industrial action by staff of the Civil Registration Service in the Health Service Executive (HSE), the scheduling of interviews, where one or more of the parties to the proposed marriage is a non-EU national, is being delayed.
Staffing and resolution of industrial relations issues in the Civil Registration Service are a matter for the HSE. However I am concerned about the matter and my officials, while not directly involved in the dispute have made the HSE aware of these concerns.
