David Cullinane (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to speak to the content of amendment No. 4. I agree with much of what Senator Walsh said but I cannot support amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3. I do not think they are nuanced enough in the first instance and I would also be reluctant to get into a debate about the definition of the unborn child as well in the context of this Bill. I know the Minister has been lobbied and we certainly have been lobbied by the grandfather whose daughter died. Obviously, his granddaughter died as well. The daughter was seven months pregnant and was killed in a car accident. I know it would have meant an awful lot for that family to be able to register the granddaughter and I think that is a reasonable request.

Our amendment basically gives the family a choice. If the family wants to register the child in any instance, it will be given the opportunity to do so. I do know that for some families that may not be a choice they would want. It might add to the grief but for those who do, I genuinely believe they should have the option. I will not delay the Minister of State. It is a fairly straightforward amendment. The Minister of State has rehearsed this on Second and Committee Stages but we feel amendment No. 4 is worded better than amendments Nos. 1, 2 and 3 and we think it is a better fix or fit.