Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 20 November 2018
616. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if a person identifying as a male while pregnant and that subsequently gives birth to a child will be recorded as the mother of the child on the birth certificate; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [47931/18]
View answerWhen section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 is commenced it will be possible, in circumstances such as these, for the person who gives birth to be registered as "Parent" in the register of births.
Section 99 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 makes provision for registration of details of "Parent" in the register of births, in addition to current provisions for registration of "Mother" and "Father". This section requires amendment to correct technical errors before it can be commenced. I intend to bring forward amending legislation to address this as soon as possible.
In the meantime, the person who gives birth will be recorded in the register of births as the "Mother" until such time as the registration system can be amended, to more accurately reflect the circumstances of such a birth, by using the term "Parent" for the person who gives birth.
