Michael McCarthy (Labour)

There might be a situation where someone might not consider it necessary to appoint an acting registrar. The registrar might be absent for a variety of reasons. What is proposed in the amendment would be a safer approach in terms of dealing with the absence of a registrar. It goes back to the use of the words "shall" and "may". There should be a more binding responsibility or onus on the council whereby it is enabled under the Act to appoint an acting registrar. That would be a more business-like practice.