Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)

The parents or parent can apply to assign a surname other than their own name, or a combination of their names. It is not proposed to extend this provision to any person other than the parents. When a child is born it naturally has parents. The Senator is asking that another person be allowed the right. Paragraph (b) of the First Schedule refers to:

such other name as may be requested by both of the parents or by one of them if the other is dead or, after reasonable efforts to do so have been made, cannot be contacted (if an tArd–Cláraitheor or an officer of an tArd–Cláraitheor duly authorised by him or her in that behalf or a Superintendent Registrar is satisfied that the circumstances warrant it and he or she agrees to the request).

A father could be devious and include a surname that would be outside the ambit of the Act and it is on that basis that one must reserve the right for parents only. One cannot expand that role. It comes under the Status of Children Act. Accordingly, we must ensure that a child's name could not be changed.