21.—(1) Where a living new-born child is found abandoned, it is the duty of—

(a) the person who finds the child, and

(b) any person in whose charge the child is placed,

not later than 3 months from the date of the finding, to give to a registrar, to the best of his or her knowledge and belief, in such form and manner as may be directed by an tArd-Chláraitheoir, the required particulars of the birth and, thereupon, the registrar shall register the birth in such manner as may be so directed.

(2) Where a person complies with subsection (1) in relation to a child, the other person referred to in that subsection is discharged from the performance in relation to that child of the duty imposed by that subsection.

(3) Where the date of the birth of a child whose birth is required to be registered under this Act is not known and a registered medical practitioner certifies in writing that, in his or her opinion, the birth took place on or about a date specified in the certificate, the registrar concerned may enter that date in the register as the date of the birth of the child.