The Government has approved legislation allowing members of non-religious groups, such as the Humanist Association of Ireland, to perform civil marriages.
Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton said: “I am delighted to have obtained the support of my colleagues in Cabinet for the proposal.”
Originally brought in as a Private Members’ Bill by Labour Senator Ivana Bacik, the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill was due to complete its progress in the Seanad and Ms Burton will sponsor its progress through the Dáil. It proposes to give the right to conduct civil marriages to non-religious groups, which must be a “philosophical and non-confessional body”.