Call for lawyers to be allowed to perform civil weddings

Solicitors should be allowed to perform civil wedding ceremonies when marriage is opened to gay couples, a lawyer has urged.

Bill Holohan of Holohan Law said an amendment could be made to the draft Marriages Bill allowing 245 notaries public to apply to be registered as marriage solemnisers.

A notary public is a public officer constituted by law to deal with non-contentious matters and most are practising solicitors.