Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 18 December 2018
608. Deputy Martin Heydon asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection the status of the timing of the implementation of section 9 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [53729/18]
Amharc ar fhreagra644. Deputy Joan Collins asked the Minister for Employment Affairs and Social Protection if the technical amendments to the Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Act 2018 can be dealt with in a separate process with the agreement of the Cabinet and Opposition parties in order to facilitate Part 9 of the enactment of same in view of the length of time being taken to progress of the Social Welfare, Pensions and Civil Registration Bill 2017. [53391/18]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 608 and 644 together.
I am aware of the pressing need to make technical amendments to the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 including those sections in Part 9 that provide for the registration and re-registration of the birth of a donor-conceived child and, in particular, make possible the registration of details of “Parent”, as well as “Mother” and “Father”, where required.
I want to make these necessary amendments at the earliest possible opportunity.
It is my intention to bring these amendments forward in a stand-alone Bill in 2019.
Commencement of these amendments are also dependent on commencement of Parts 2 and 3 of the 2015 Act which is the responsibility of the Minister for Health. There are important administrative and operational arrangements to be put in place to facilitate the implementation of Parts 2 and 3, including the establishment of the National Donor-Conceived Person Register and the appointment of authorised persons under the Act. I understand that it is Minister for Health's intention that these provisions will be commenced as soon as possible.
Officials from my Department are working with the General Registration Service (GRS) and the Department of Health to ensure that the appropriate legislative, regulatory, and operational mechanisms are in place to allow for the earliest possible commencement of all of the relevant legislation that will allow for birth registrations of donor-conceived children.
