New bill will allow both women in a same-sex relationship to put name on birth cert

Minister for Social Protection Regina Doherty has announced a new bill.

The bill will see both women in a same-sex relationship be able to put their name down on their child's birth cert. Previous laws meant that only one female parent could put their name on their baby's birth certificate. The minister has said that preparation of the Civil Registration Bill 2019 has been approved and is expected to be published and brought before the houses of the Oireachtas this spring. In addition parents of non-donor assisted children may also avail of the label “Parent” rather than "Mother" or "Father" should they so request it. According to the Irish Times Minister Doherty when speaking on the matter said;

"I have met and spoken to many affected by this issue and I am now very pleased to be able to bring these changes forward as a priority to ensure that they can be introduced as soon as possible."

Last year it was announced that same-sex couples who are already parents could retrospectively register both their names on their child’s birth certificate and passport. The previous rules had errors which meant that some rights were only given to the birth mother.