Anthony Lawlor (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I echo the sentiments expressed by Deputy Mitchell about marriages of convenience and it is sad we have to deal with this. As she indicated, there are many other types of marriages of convenience in the State which are not acceptable in modern Irish society but, unfortunately, we have not dealt with those in this legislation. This is very subjective and, as Deputy Mitchell said, we like to deal with facts when it comes to people marrying and preventing them from marrying. As she also indicated, there were circumstances, of which we all know, in which marriages of convenience took place which did not involve people trafficking or other nationalities.

It is great to be in the House when dealing with legislation which is reflective of society. There was a significant input from the people, who brought a number of situations and circumstances to Members of the House of the Oireachtas by way of meetings in clinics and with Ministers, and they have been brought to the floor of the House in this legislation which is reflective of modern society. Legislation must move rapidly in order that we can reflect what is going on in modern society.

I wish to speak about two issues, one of which I have spoken about on a number of occasions. I refer to the "Help bring them home" campaign. Most of us know people who, unfortunately, passed away overseas. A person does not need to die overseas to be unable to have his or her death registered in this country in that he or she need only die in the North of Ireland. That campaign highlighted that it is traumatic for families that the deaths of their relations are not recognised in this State. In future, there will be a record. When people looked for relatives, they could not find them because their deaths were not recorded. I welcome this provision and thank the campaigners from "Help bring them home" for their hard work. The Minister deserves credit for this also because she listened to society.

The compulsory registration of the father's name on the birth certificate is an important provision in this legislation. We all know the nuclear family in this society is changing dramatically. There are more births outside wedlock than ever before. It is important from the child's perspective that the father's name is registered. Deputy Mitchell raised a point in regard to PPS numbers which may help to highlight this even further, and the Minister might take that on board.

We have been advocating for the child's rights. Deputy Daly mentioned the children's referendum and this is a follow-on from that. I would be very supportive of this because children, who are our future, need to know their parents' identity.

I welcome the Bill which is not so much reforming legislation as legislation catching up with society, something we need to take on board more often. Legislation should reflect society.

See this speech in context