Mary Henry (Independent)

I move amendment No. 6:

In page 20, before section 18, but in Part 3 of the Bill, to insert the following new section:

18.---(1) the Minister shall establish an advisory body, to be known as the Civil Registration Advisory Body (and referred to in this Act as 'the Advisory body'), to advise an tArd-Chláraitheoir and an tArd-Chláraitheoir Cúnta in their exercise of the powers and duties under this Act:

(i) on all matters affecting civil registration, and

(ii) about the provision of service by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, and the use of such by the general public, and

(iii) about the care and preservation of any and all records held in the care of an tArd-Chláraitheoir.

(2) The Advisory Body shall consist of a chairperson and not more than eleven other members (who shall not be entitled to draw any expenses or other financial remuneration from the public purse), appointed by the Minister on such terms and conditions as shall be determined by him or her.

(3) (a) The members of the Advisory Body shall include at least one member from each of the following bodies, organisations or interest groups:

(i) Adopted Peoples Association;

(ii) Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland;

(iii) Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations;

(iv) Genealogical Society of Ireland;

(v) Irish Family History Society;

(vi) Law Society of Ireland;

(vii) National Archives of Ireland;

(viii) National Library of Ireland;

(ix) Public interest nominee.

(b) An tArd-Chláraitheoir shall be entitled to attend meetings of the Advisory Body.

(4) The Minister may at any time terminate the appointment of the chairman or any other member of the Advisory Body.".

This amendment seeks to establish a civil registration advisory body. Advisory bodies are very common. For example, the National Archives of Ireland has one, the National Library has one, while the general registration office, which will have the largest and most complete set of data relating to people in Ireland, does not have an advisory body. Given that it is a most important institution from the point of view of the general public, I thought it would be useful if there were a body to which citizens could appeal if they felt there were inadequacies in the way they were being treated.

The Minister said in the select committee that she would set up two non-statutory central panels, one to cater for general registration and the other focusing on family research. While these would be very worthy bodies, it would be better if there were a statutory civil registration advisory body, which would have a bit more power. It is not as though I am seeking something expensive. They are barely able to get a cup of tea and they can just meet approximately a couple of times a year. It would be useful to have such a body which could comprise a wide number of other bodies, including the Adopted Peoples Association; Association of Professional Genealogists in Ireland; Council of Irish Genealogical Organisations; Genealogical Society of Ireland; Irish Family History Society; Law Society of Ireland; National Archives of Ireland; National Library of Ireland and a public interest nominee.

I would have thought that such a body could be very useful. I hope the Minister will consider favourably my amendment.