Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

It is the reality. There are sensitive and difficult situations with which we must deal. There are other situations where the father would be genuinely unknown. That is another fact of life.

The high percentage of registration by both parents on birth certificates is good and important and we are facilitating it. Whether it is reflected in other responsibilities is another matter. Members will agree that in the main, save in exceptional circumstances, the inclusion of two parents is the best and most beneficial way of rearing a child. However, we know in our hearts and souls that people, be they men or women, abdicate their responsibilities. This is another societal issue about which it would be good to converse but it falls outside the parameters of this legislation. Just because a man's name is registered on a birth certificate does not mean that he is actively involved in the parenting of the child. Having his name registered does not bestow on him any rights if he is not going to be actively involved in the rearing of the child.

There are other consequences which arise out of registration. However, I am happy to see such a high percentage of involvement among men and women. I appreciate that there are difficulties in relationships, particularly where a woman may not want to have anything to do with the father. There may, perhaps, be reasons for that. It often happens, sometimes later in life, that people ask, as they are entitled to do, a registrar to amend the registration. A couple of thousand re-registrations take place every year. This indicates that, perhaps through reconciliation or whatever, people involve themselves more in the rearing of a child or wish to have their names registered on the birth certificate.

There will always be cases where people have a personal difficulty or problem. At the end of the day, people can have recourse to the courts to establish parentage. We would prefer it if they did not have to go to such lengths, but that opportunity is available to people if they want to establish their parentage. The court will then advise an tArd Chláraitheoir to register the father's name and details.