Rebecca Moynihan (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 72:

In page 27, line 2, to delete “may” and substitute “shall”.

Amendment No. 72 strengthens the provision in section 19 by specifying that the Minister should issue guidance to the Child and Family Agency, the AAI and the relevant bodies regarding their performance under this section of the Bill. Section 19, a miscellaneous provisions section of Part 2, makes provisions relating to the accessing of birth certificates, birth and other information, and provided items. The relevant subsection provides that the Minister may issue guidelines to the Child and Family Agency, the AAI or the relevant body regarding their performance under this Part. The pre-legislative scrutiny report of the Joint Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth recommended that the use of the word "may" throughout the heads of the Bill ought to be addressed to strengthen its provisions. The amendment acts on this recommendation.