Press Release: Bacik Welcomes Introduction of Government Bill to Legalise Humanist Weddings
06 December 2012
BACIK WELCOMES INTRODUCTION OF GOVERNMENT BILL TO LEGALISE HUMANIST WEDDINGS
Senator Ivana Bacik today welcomed the introduction of the Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2012, which is due to pass all stages in the Seanad today Thursday 6th December 2012. This Government bill is based upon the Civil Registration (Amendment) bill 2011 which was introduced during Labour private members' time in November 2011 in the Seanad by Senator Ivana Bacik, and which passed through second stage on that date with unanimous support and without a vote. The bill then passed all remaining stages in the Seanad on 2nd May 2012, but was re-drafted by the Government prior to its re-introduction in the form of the 2012 Bill.
The purpose of the bill is legalise Humanist marriage ceremonies by amending the Civil Registration Act 2004.
Welcoming the bill, Senator Bacik said,
“I am really delighted that at last we will see this version of the bill pass through all stages the Seanad today. The bill will mark a step towards a more inclusive and pluralist society, and it will make a real difference to couples who wish to celebrate their marriage with a Humanist ceremony. CSO figures predict that non-religious civil wedding ceremonies will soon outnumber religious ceremonies – Irish society is changing and our law on marriage needs to reflect that.”
“Humanists have become a voice for the non-religious who are, in the most recent 2011 CSO figures, the largest belief group in Ireland after Roman Catholics. This Bill represents a way for us to show that we are inclusive of those increasing numbers in our society who do not share the faith of the majority, and that we respect their values and belief-systems just as we respect those of the many persons who are members of established religious churches.”
“I look forward to the bill's passage through the Dail on 20th December next and hope that it can be enacted and commenced without any further delay so that couples can avail of legal Humanist wedding ceremonies early in the new year 2013.”
ENDS