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

If the logic of Deputy Tuffy's argument were applied to all legislation, we would not change anything and would continue to do things as they have always been done. If a central register were introduced, it would be necessary to invite people to register declarations retrospectively. This would facilitate people who have made a declaration prior to the establishment of the register. I am sure a solution can be found.

As Deputies will agree, the statutory declaration, which is signed with the consent of the mother and constitutes the mechanism by which guardianship is granted to the father, is a precious document. Surely, therefore, a central or back-up system should be in place to record the making of all such declarations. While I appreciate this presents a conundrum and the introduction of a register would have resource and logistical implications for the Minister, I will press the amendment because a major element is missing from the legislation. This is a very important issue which has been brought to our attention by Treoir and other organisations.

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