Ms Gillian Keegan:

I made a point about the registry. This is something that was mentioned by a number of clinicians back in February. One of the matters that was mentioned was the circumstance in which somebody who reaches 18 years of age is presented with a birth certificate which states that he or she was donor conceived. Two issues arise. First, the person might not have been told that and in certain circumstances, it could be a great shock. The second issue is that the person might be aware that he or she was donor conceived but may not necessarily want that fact to appear on his or her birth certificate. They are two different circumstances. I do not know if it is proposed under the Children and Family Relationships Act that two birth certificates would be available for that person. Perhaps that matter could be clarified. In one case, that fact would be included on the birth certificate if the person wished, or it would not be included where the person does not wish it to be. I am not sure what the position is in that regard. On reaching 18 years of age, the person might not want it or might not be aware of it so it is probably dangerous to include it without due consideration.