Representing the people of Tipperary

Thank you Ceann Comhairle, and thank for choosing this topical issue debate. I also want to thank the Minister for being here to address my query. The issue I want to talk about today is the registration of Irish deaths abroad, or the lack of registration to be more precise. As I’m sure the Minister is aware, the 2004 Civil Registration Act covers the registration of births, stillbirths and deaths in relation to the Irish public.

Under the current legislation the death of an Irish citizen who dies abroad is only recorded and registered in the Irish Republic if they fall under one of three categories:

1. In the event of the death of a person on an Irish aircraft or an Irish ship.

2. The death of an Irish citizen on board any foreign ship or foreign aircraft in transit.

3. The death of a serving member, or the spouse of a serving member who resides outside the State alongside their partner, of An Garda Siochana or the Irish Defence Forces.

What this means is that for the vast majority of Irish citizens who die abroad, they never have that death recorded or registered back here, in their home country.

Without the registration of that death back in Ireland, it makes life far more difficult for the family members they leave behind. As many of us in this house will know from personal experience, a death certificate is usually needed to finalise affairs such as the closure of bank accounts or the cancellation of passports and other documentation.

In addition to this, there is the genealogical aspect to this case. The fact is that our official figures on Irish deaths per year are not fully accurate as they cannot account for hundreds of deaths that take place outside the State every year. Future generations will find it extremely difficult to trace their ancestors if one of them were to have died overseas. I have no doubt that the Minister will agree with me that these people are not just statistics. They deserve the right to be recognised by their country, even in death.

I know from personal experience the pain this has caused families and friends who have lost loved ones overseas. In my own constituency I have two families pleading for a change in the current legislation. Mary Britton, who lost her husband, has been campaigning on this issue for nearly 3 years at this stage. Similarly, Dolores Millea, whose son died in Germany in 2007, believes that resolving this issue could prevent future families suffering some of the distress that they have had to deal with.

That is why I want to ask the Minister whether or not there has been any progress made in relation to amending this piece of legislation. I understand that issuing a death certificate on foot of one being issued by a foreign country does bring about legal difficulties, I acknowledge that. However, I know that some sort of compromise can be found. Other countries have experienced similar difficulties with their systems in the past, and I am optimistic that similar solutions could be found in Ireland, without the same legal difficulties as issuing a full Irish death certificate. I also believe that this could be done at minimal cost.

Minister I think that we, in this Government, have a real opportunity to create some positive news with issues such as these. I think it’s not just good politics, but it’s good policy. I know there has been considerable discussion about this issue in the past thanks to family groups and those who have lost loved ones overseas. I hope that the Minister might be able to deliver some good news on the progress of this amendment here today.

With the Referendum on the EU Stability Treaty taking place on May 31^st, South Tipperary Fine Gael T.D. Tom Hayes has arranged for the Minister for Jobs, Enterprise & Innovation, Richard Bruton, to attend a public meeting on why a Yes vote will benefit local businesses. The meeting described as an ‘EU Stability Business Lunch’ will take place in Hotel Minella, Clonmel on Friday May 25^th at 1pm. Local businesses in the region will be invited to attend but the event is open to all members of the public.

“The importance of this referendum cannot be overstated. It’s important that we as local representatives do all in our power to inform the public about this Treaty and why a Yes vote is in their best interest. One of the biggest benefits to a Yes vote on May 31^st will be the restoration of investor confidence in Ireland. We have to increase the existing flow of investment into this country and we can only do that if our financial future is secured.

“Support for this Treaty isn’t just coming from the three major political parties. IBEC, the Small Firms Association, the Irish Hotels Federation, the IFA, and the ICMSA, to name just a few, have all called for a Yes vote. These groups operate in the real economy and understand that this Treaty makes good business sense. They understand that it will provide the certainty that Ireland needs if we are to continue to grow jobs and attract inward investment.

“The Stability Treaty creates certainty for two main reasons; it promotes sensible budget rules in Ireland and the other Eurozone countries and it offers us access to the ESM, Europe’s new bailout fund, should we ever need it. These two factors show job creating investors that we are serious about controlling our finances, and that we are fully funded into the future.

“I have no doubt that Minister Bruton will lay all of these facts out during his visit on May 25^th. There is nobody better positioned in this Government to explain why a Yes vote is good for business. I hope to see as many Tipperary businesses as possible at the meeting, as well as any members of the public who are unsure about which way to vote. The result of this referendum is pivotal to our country’s future, it’s only right that we inform the public as much as possible” concluded Tom Hayes.

The newly appointed British Ambassador to Ireland, Dominick Chilcott, is to visit Cashel this coming Friday, the 18th of May, following an invitation from South Tipperary Fine Gael T.D. Tom Hayes. Deputy Hayes issued the invitation to commemorate last year’s visit to the town by Queen Elizabeth.

“I am delighted that the Ambassador has accepted my invitation to visit the town almost a year on from the Queen’s visit to the Rock of Cashel. That day was obviously a huge occasion for the town and I think it is important to acknowledge that event in some way.

“I issued the invitation to acknowledge the historic occasion that was the Queen’s visit. Not only was her state visit important for our relationship with the UK, but it was pivotal in boosting tourism numbers to Ireland. At the Rock of Cashel alone we have seen a huge increase in British visitors to the site since the visit, with numbers in 2011 greatly exceeding those in 2010.

“Ireland saw a 5.2% increase in British tourists alone last year. That’s over 140,000 more British people spending and sightseeing in Ireland. I have no doubt that the main reason for this substantial increase was the state visit itself.

“It’s important that we continue to promote Cashel, and Co. Tipperary, as a top destination for any British visitor to Ireland. I believe that this visit from the new British Ambassador, on the anniversary of the Queen’s visit, is the perfect way to mark the occasion and will provide us with another opportunity to show what Tipperary has to offer.

“We are currently in the process of agreeing an itinerary with the British Embassy but I expect that the Ambassador’s visit will involve a brief tour of the Rock as well as the town itself” concluded Tom Hayes.