Same-sex couples to be allowed register both names on child’s birth certificate

Same-sex couples are to be allowed to register both of their name on their child's birth certificate.

Minister for Health Simon Harris sought approval yesterday to introduce legislation allowing both parents to be recognised as such on their child's birth cert. This comes after an anomaly meant that some parental rights for same-sex couples were afforded to the child's birth mother only. The new Bill will allow for both parents to be registered on their child's birth certificate and passport. Speaking last week, Minister Harris said:

“I assure all members that the Government shares their sense of urgency and wants to resolve the matter. The Deputies are entirely correct.

“I intend to go to Cabinet very shortly with a view to bringing about a legislative solution that I hope we can work with on a cross-party basis."

LGBT rights activists have been campaigning for this change in legislation for years. In 2015, parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationships Act allowed for parentage through donor-assisted human reproduction. However, a loophole meant that these clauses had yet to be enacted. Harris has said he hopes to have this issue resolved by the end of summer.