Question to the Minister for Social Protection (Ms. Joan Burton, TD)
To ask the Minister for Social Protection when a commencement order will be signed regarding section 16 of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014, which inserts section 51(2A) in the Civil Registration Act 2004, providing for marriages to be conducted in outdoor locations; and if she will make a statement on the matter. – Jerry Buttimer
For WRITTEN ANSWER on 19, May, 2015.
REPLY
The Civil Registration (Amendment) Act 2014 was enacted on 4th December 2014.
The provisions of the Act will be put into operation on the basis of an implementation plan involving both procedural and system changes. This work is being progressed as quickly as possible in order that the various provisions of the Act can be commenced.
The Act includes provisions to clarify what constitutes a “place that is open to the public”. This is to ensure that the public policy objectives with regard to the solemnisation of all marriages (whether civil, religious or secular) in both outdoor and indoor venues are upheld. These provisions are being prioritised for commencement.
It should be noted that marriages by religious or secular solemnisers may currently be solemnised at an outdoor venue with the agreement of the parties and the solemniser. The position in relation to venues (both indoors and outdoors) for civil marriages solemnised by registrars is that, under section 52 of the Civil Registration Act 2004 these are subject to ” matters specified” by the Minister.
These “matters specified” have been revised to reflect the updated position and will be published very shortly. Civil marriages may then be solemnised outdoors with the agreement of the parties and the registrar.