A new family law, has now made it compulsory for father’s names to appear on a child’s birth certificates in Ireland.
The Civil Registration (Amendment) Bill 2014 was published today by Tánaiste and Minister for Social Protection Joan Burton after the Cabinet gave its approval.
The Tánaiste said the Bill’s passing was an important reform on Irish family law.
“The right of the child to know who both their parents are is a very important right. In recognising this right the Bill is giving every child a greater sense of identity.”
Chief executive of the Children’s Rights Alliance, Tanya Ward said the passing of the new law was important moment for Irish children.
“It is the most important reform of family law for a generation. Currently, the law does not recognise the relationship between a child and a stepparent, civil partner and others in loco parentis. This legal gap has a real impact on day-to-day parenting, such as consenting to medical treatment or a school trip. The proposed law will address this gap and also bring in new measures to deal with family breakdown.”
Previous legislation did not require the father’s name to be provided at the time of registering birth.
