Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 June 2018
50. Deputy Paul Murphy asked the Minister for Health when Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 will be commenced; the reason for the delay in their commencement; his plans to uphold the rights of those impacted; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28151/18]
View answerThe Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 reforms and updates family law to address the needs of children living in diverse family types, 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.
The Minister for Health received Government approval on Tuesday 26 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 Dáil 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.
