Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

Yes. It stands on the Schedule.

As a consequence of this legislation, other issues are being raised which fall outside its parameters. I am delighted that Senator Brian Hayes has agreed that every effort is being made to ensure that two parents register. Senator Henry referred to warm feelings after someone is informed he is the father of a child. These people will be facilitated in the maternity hospital or at their local registrar's office and an extension of time is provided. If, therefore, something does not work out in the early period, there are up to three months in which a determination may be made in terms of both parents having their names on the birth certificate.

Many people have referred to children's right to know the identity of their father or — this concerns a minority of instances — their mother. There is a great deal of logic to that. It is for this reason we have had a considerable amount of debate with regard to adoptions and access to that type of information. As Members are aware, we have not reached agreement on that matter but there have been considerable discussions. The Minister of State, Deputy Brian Lenihan, is anxious to bring before the House a new adoption Bill which, in my view, will have major consequences for the legislation before us. When that Bill emerges, it is highly likely that the legislation on civil registration will have to be amended as the existing restrictions will remain in place under its provisions because a determination to change the position has not been made.

Statistics show that at Erne maternity hospital, the father's name was registered in 91% of births, while in Limerick, 93% registered their names. This shows that what is understood as a public perception does not actually exist. It is obvious that the change has come about of its own making because of the fact that we do facilitate registration. Quite a high percentage of fathers register their names on birth certificates.