Pádraig Mac Lochlainn (Donegal North East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The amendment we submitted was "after line 10, to delete section 40(b) in its entirety" so, unfortunately, what has been presented as our amendment is not the one we submitted. That is unfortunate. We do not propose to remove section 40(a) but rather section 40(b). That is out of our control but we will resubmit the amendment and ensure it is worded properly the next time. As we are speaking to amendment No. 39, I will be moving it on behalf of the relevant Deputy. I would like to see it implemented. The Minister has not outlined why she believes automatic guardianship should not be given. Once a father has his name on a birth certificate, why can that automatic guardianship not be given?