Marriage ‘by proxy’ to be abolished

CURRENT legislation allowing a bride or groom to be absent from their formal marriage ceremony is to be abolished by the Government.

The Civil Registration Bill, to be debated for the first time in the Dáil this week, will override present marriage law which dates back more than 150 years.

Under legislation dating back as far as 1844 either a bride or groom is permitted to be absent from marriages in registration offices and replaced by a nominated proxy. The rule does not apply to church marriages which must be attended by both parties.