Debate contribution: Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill: Second Stage

Debate contribution by Ms Diane Forsythe on 20 April 2026.

MLA

Ms Diane Forsythe

Party at the time

Democratic Unionist Party

Date

20 April 2026

Type

Debate contribution

Business

Executive Committee Business

Heading

Marriage and Civil Partnership Bill: Second Stage

Assembly identifier

Official Report component 5493288

Read the official Assembly record

Text

I thank the Minister for giving the Committee advance sight of the Bill. I also thank his officials for their continual updates on the Bill's progress and for being available to the Committee. This is serious and important legislation, and it should be approached with that in mind. As we work through it, I hope that a solemn and dignified tone remains throughout. As has been said, the Bill has two main purposes: first, through clauses 5 to 7, it raises the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership in Northern Ireland from 16 to 18; and, secondly, it seeks to formally include non-religious belief marriages within the legal framework of the Marriage (Northern Ireland) Order 2003. Raising the minimum age for marriage and civil partnership in Northern Ireland from 16 to 18 reflects the evidence that child marriage can be harmful and recognises the strong public support for reform. The Bill removes the possibility of under-18s being able to marry or enter a civil partnership, even with parental consent, and introduces a new criminal offence relating to actions that cause a person under 18 to enter into a marriage here in Northern Ireland. Given the worldwide campaign against child marriage that is known to all in the Assembly, it is very important to see that progress. Ninety-seven per cent of online respondents to the consultation on the legislation were supportive of the change that will increase the minimum age to 18. Now that we have the Bill, it will be good for the Committee to hear more evidence on that. We have the opportunity to consider any sanctions or tariffs as part of the enforcement of the minimum age for marriage in a future Act and to consider the Great Britain legislation on forced marriage that deals with the minimum age for marriage. On the move to make the current temporary arrangements permanent by including non-religious belief marriages within the legal framework of the Order, it is important that we review the details of the legal case that led to the arrangements that are being formalised through the Bill. The definition of an "organised group of people" needs to be scrutinised, and we need clarity on that. In the Department's consultation, approximately 70% of online and written respondents were supportive of amending marriage law to put belief marriage on an equal footing with religious marriage. None of the three Churches that responded submitted an objection. The legislation is described as formalising in law practices that are already happening on a temporary basis, and I look forward to scrutinising the detail of that further at Committee. I speak on an ongoing basis to the Christian Institute about the legislation and will continue to engage with it, the Churches and all those interested in the Bill. As the Bill, which will formalise and future-proof marriage law, moves forward, I am keen to explore options to strengthen aspects of it, too. I am keen to see amendments that would, if made, strengthen the message of what marriage and civil partnerships mean and legislate for a requirement for a dignified and solemn ceremony to be defined and carried out. I welcome the Minister's comments in his opening remarks about the fact that it gives us an opportunity to bring forward an amendment to remove the ability to profiteer from the solemn aspects of the ceremony. Inclusion of the option to bring forward a requirement for those officiating to complete a qualification is welcome, as there is a clear need to define and remind people of the serious and solemn nature of the ceremony and all that it means. I look forward to exploring that further during the Committee's scrutiny. This Wednesday, which is when departmental officials are scheduled to attend the Finance Committee, we will commence the briefing on the contents of the Bill.

Scrutiny of the Bill is extremely important, as is the scrutiny of all Bills. A wide range of stakeholders, including Church groups, humanist bodies, the Children's Commissioner, the Human Rights Commission and the Equality Commission, has expressed interest. It will be important to hear from all of them in setting definitions that are firmly scrutinised as the Bill progresses. As has been said, the Bill has two main objectives, but it also has the potential to strengthen marriage law here in Northern Ireland. We support the opportunity to bring it forward, scrutinise it further and make the best legislation possible.

741 words. Text as published by the Northern Ireland Assembly.

Assessment

Not flagged

Jev’s structured answers

Assessed 21 October 2026 at 15:21 UTC by jev-1.13.0 (requested as typesafe/jev) under rubric 2026.10-r9, methodology 1.9.

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