Frances Fitzgerald
Ceist:761 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans he has to licence civil marriages in venues other than registry offices. [21085/01]
Vol. 541 No. 2
761 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the plans he has to licence civil marriages in venues other than registry offices. [21085/01]
My Department has responsibility for reviewing and modernising the legislation in relation to the registration of births, deaths and marriages. The existing legislation dates back to the 1840s 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. 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 a new Bill on the registration of births, deaths and marriages, including divorce and nullity, to update the current body of legislation and facilitate the planned organisational change.