Brian Hayes (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 19:

In page 26, subsection (1), line 28, after "like effect", to insert "made within 12 months of the registration of the birth".

It has been suggested to us that it may be sensible to put a restriction on the time length during which people can make the alteration — up to 12 months from the registration of a birth. The argument put to us is that this sort of provision would constitute good record-keeping. I am interested in the Minister's views. As currently worded, there can be an alteration at any time. Would that not be open to abuse in the future?