SAME-SEX couples can lodge an application for civil
registration in HSE centres in Ennis, Ennistymon and Kilrush — but
can’t officially endorse their partnership because the buildings were
never designed with a room for a civil ceremony.
Heterosexual couples who wished to get married in a
Clare registry office in the past couldn’t do so either because of the
lack of a proper building.
Historically, Clare and Limerick were part of the same district and Clare people seeking a civil ceremony had to go to either Limerick or Nenagh in north Tipperary where ceremony rooms are available.
The space problem arose as the HSE received six enquires from Clare people who sought to engage in a civil partnership, three male and three female couples.
Three of the couples had served notice of their intentions to the HSE since January.
However, superintendent registrar Geraldine McCarthy has confirmed they can’t have a ceremony in a Clare registry office because the necessary space isn’t available — despite a number of attempts to secure another building.
Instead, the same sex couples will have to make an application to have their ceremony conducted in a particular venue which has to be subsequently assessed by HSE staff and must adhere to a standard set of criteria.
It includes an absence of any religious connotations, the availability of disabled access, fire safety, and a separate room for the registration with one table and at least six chairs in the event of a hearing to assess an objection.
Historically, Clare and Limerick were part of the same district and Clare people seeking a civil ceremony had to go to either Limerick or Nenagh in north Tipperary where ceremony rooms are available.
The space problem arose as the HSE received six enquires from Clare people who sought to engage in a civil partnership, three male and three female couples.
Three of the couples had served notice of their intentions to the HSE since January.
However, superintendent registrar Geraldine McCarthy has confirmed they can’t have a ceremony in a Clare registry office because the necessary space isn’t available — despite a number of attempts to secure another building.
Instead, the same sex couples will have to make an application to have their ceremony conducted in a particular venue which has to be subsequently assessed by HSE staff and must adhere to a standard set of criteria.
It includes an absence of any religious connotations, the availability of disabled access, fire safety, and a separate room for the registration with one table and at least six chairs in the event of a hearing to assess an objection.