Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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281. To ask the Minister for Health the status of the Children and Families Relationships Act 2015 (details supplied); when it will be commenced; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28762/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 reforms and updates family law to address the needs of children living in diverse family types, and the commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. During the preparation of regulations to facilitate the commencement of Parts 2 & 3 of the Act a number of technical drafting issues came to light that required amendments to the Act of 2015 through primary legislation. I received Government approval on Tuesday 26th of June to draft an amendment Bill to remedy the defect in the Act of 2015 . The commencement of parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will allow same-sex couples to apply to the courts for parentage rights. This will be a very welcome step for lots of families. I hope to be in a position to introduce this legislation into the Dail as soon as possible and commence in the autumn. The registration of births is the responsibility of the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection.