Seán Ryan (Dublin North, Labour)

I have considered the amendments since the conclusion of Committee Stage and cannot fathom the rationale behind the Minister's refusal to accept amendment No. 16 because the birth certification process should permit the recording of an optional Irish language version of a baby's forename and surname, as supplied by the parents. Every Minister and the Taoiseach pointed out that they will sign countless official documents using the Irish language version of their names, yet no official recognition exists for a dual language naming system in the registration process.

This is an utter joke in the context of our EU Presidency. We are expounding our national language, yet parents are being deprived of the opportunity to register their names and that of their children as Gaeilge. I hope, on the basis of the case and pleas that have been made, the Minister will look favourably on the amendments.

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