Fathers 'can't be forced to sign birth certificates'

By Sandra Murphy

A law to make all fathers put their names to their baby's birth certificate would be impossible to enforce, legal experts said last night.

About 4,000 babies a year are registered without a father and yesterday unmarried parent advocate group Treoir campaigned for single mothers to be legally compelled to declare paternity so fathers are forced to accept their responsibilities.

The proposals aim to give more children the 'security' of being acknowledged by both parents, Treoir assistant chief executive Margot Doherty claimed.

'It is in the child's best interest to know both their mother and father-and it is also their rights.'

Under Treoir's proposed scheme, if a mother attempts to register the birth in her name alone she will be asked by the registrar to name the father.

If she wants him to be named, the register would be obliged to pursue him until he signs.

But the plan was dismissed as having no legal value by experts last night.

Noeline Blackwell, director general of Free Legal Advice Centre, said the proposal would have no impact in stopping fathers from dodging maintenance payments.

'What is being put forward does not grant the father access to the child or outline his obligations. It doesn't change anything really.'

And financial expert Colm Rapple said the move was too late.

He said: 'It would have been an excellent idea when we were in full employment. Why was it not done then? It seems strange that the push should come now.'

Labour social and family affairs spokesman Roisin Shortall welcomed the move to name fathers on birth certificates but insisted it should not be mandatory.

'I don't think people should be penalised for not complying, like the fines they have in the UK.' She said.