Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The witnesses are all very welcome to the joint committee. Forgive me if I am doubling up on questions; I was attending another committee meeting earlier. In her research, Dr. Bracken states that both parents were legally recognised in only 50% of the families. She also said there were omissions from the 2015 Act. I would like to be clear in my head that in 50% of cases both parents are recognised and in the other 50% they are not. This sliding scale of family legal recognition is unacceptable. Will Dr. Bracken explain to me as a layperson how 50% of the families would get that recognition and 50% did not? The omissions in the 2015 Act mean we have legislated for differences. How will this affect the retrospective route to parentage? If there is time, I will contribute again.