Michael McCarthy (Labour)

I move amendment No. 23:

"In page 20, subsection (9)(a), line 28, to delete "may" and substitute "shall"."

This amendment has been tabled to many Bills in this House. The legislation requires a member of the council to carry out the functions of a registrar. It does not seem appropriate to give the council discretion not to appoint an acting registrar in the absence of the registrar. Where the registrar's position is vacant or the registrar is ill, suspended or for whatever reason is unable to fulfil his or her duty, there should be a requirement to appoint an acting registrar. That section of the Bill needs a more definitive approach.