Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Exactly. On that basis one would have to ask an tArd–Chláraitheoir to make a determination. Under the Status of Children Act 1987, a declaration may be obtained in court to determine parentage. That, I would assume, would be part of the inquiry of an tArd Chláraitheoir. It would turn out to be a legal determination on parentage. The judge can make that determination on the instructions of an tArd Chláraitheoir. Traditional life was much easier.