asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has for the establishment of a register of stillbirths and neo-natal deaths in Ireland, in view of the urgent need for such a register; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Register of Stillbirths.
132.
In the case of neo-natal deaths, that is, deaths of live born infants aged under four weeks, both the birth and the death of the infant are registered and birth certificates and death certificates can be obtained as required.
The establishment of a register of stillbirths would require a change in the legislation relating to the registration of births. This legislation, together with the laws governing the registration of deaths and marriages is, for the most part, over a century old and consequently there are many features of the existing law requiring adaptation to modern circumstances. The establishment of a register of stillbirths will be examined in the context of an overall review of the registration code.