asked the Minister for Health whether he is aware that for the purpose of obtaining social benefits and employment there is a greatly increased use of birth certificates; that this fact has caused legislation to be introduced in England, Scotland and other countries for the issue of a shortened form of certificate which is confined to name and surname, sex, and date and place of birth; and whether, in view of the harmful nature in many cases of the additional information given on existing certificates, he will introduce as early as possible legislation to remedy this evil.
Ceisteanna—Questions. Oral Answers. - Birth Certificates.
asked the Minister for Health if he will state whether following the passage into law of the British Births and Deaths Registration Act, 1947, any Departmental investigation was made into the question of the adoption of similar legislation here, having regard to the fact that Irish citizens seeking employment in England where birth certificates have to be produced, may now be placed at a disadvantage in having to give unnecessary and unasked for information concerning their birth and social background; and if so, whether he will state what were the results of the investigations.
I propose with your permission, a Chinn Chomhairle, to reply to Questions Nos. 23 and 24 together.
I am aware that birth certificates are now required for a variety of purposes for which they were not previously required and that a limited form of certificate is now in use in certain other countries. The question of introducing a shortened form of certificate in this country has been under consideration but it is by no means certain that the shortened form would be generally acceptable or that its use would achieve the desired results. The matter is, however, still under examination.