Niall Collins (Limerick, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I have to introduce a Bill in the Dáil so I am keeping an eye on the monitor.

Our amendment is along similar lines and is about improving the rights of unmarried fathers. We are seeking to ensure that the father of a child is aware of his rights at the time of the registration of the child. The amendment places the onus on the registrar to ensure the father is aware that the registration process is taking place, giving him an opportunity to apply for guardianship under current legislation. The amendment would, for the first time, put the onus on the State to afford the mother and father the opportunity to jointly sign the statutory declaration consenting to the appointment of the father as a joint legal guardian. Oftentimes, unmarried fathers are unaware of the importance of the registration process. We believe there is currently a great imbalance between the rights of the mother and those of the father. In some instances this imbalance is justified, but in many instances it clearly is not. The amendment seeks to address the imbalance.