Couples seeking secular weddings are facing delays, due to a lack of accredited Humanist solemnisers.

A new law allowing for the legal recognition of Humanist weddings, which came into affect in recent months, is being hampered by a shortage of celebrants.

According to the Irish Times, the Humanist Association of Ireland has already received 600 requests in the first three months of the year, but they've had to turn many down as just one of their 11 solemnisers is accredited with the General Registrar's office.

It's understood the hold-up at government level is in a bid to avoid having people profit from solemnising.