FINE GAEL TD Denis Naughten said the Department of Justice should investigate “sham marriages” taking place in register offices.
He said the department was being told by staff at the General Register Office that couples who did not even have a common language were registering their intention to marry.
“There is not much point in talking about sham marriages if there are so many taking place that even people who cannot communicate with each other are registering,” said Mr Naughten.
“There are provisions in the legislation to block such marriages, but that is not happening.”
Michael Ring (FG) called on the Government to amend the tax exemption for artists.
He said that in 2005, 2,220 people qualified under the scheme at a cost to the exchequer of €34.8 million. “It is time these people, the patriots of the arts world, made a contribution to the State instead of running all over the world telling us how we should spend taxpayers’ money.”
Mary Upton (Lab) urged Ministers to drive through her constituency, particularly Thomas Street, in central Dublin, where they would see a very extended dole queue. “While the area I represent is one where education is highly prized, it is also one where it has been less than accessible for too many people,” she said.
