Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The Senator will be aware that a number of issues arose. Perhaps he is not aware that the registration of a birth on an aircraft and ship was an issue for parents who are not Irish born. One of the reasons for bringing the legislation to the House quickly is that an issue has arisen and the Supreme Court is awaiting our decision.

The problem was that births and stillbirths abroad, apart from births to members of the Garda and the Defence Forces, could not be registered except in a situation whereby similar registration to that which applies here was not available outside the State. At the time we omitted stillbirths. We all appreciate that stillbirth is a terrible trauma for a family. It had not been included in a similar way to all births, therefore, we accepted the amendment to ensure that births and stillbirths get equal recognition throughout the legislation. The registration of a stillbirth on a boat or aircraft was not previously included, but we have now decided to include it for the sake of equity. This creates exactly the same legislative framework for births and stillbirths, which the Lower House asked me to accept.