I think the 'signing in' part was just to comply with existing legislation that says you are entitled to make an application to search the index. The fact that they uploaded up to 2013 really surprised me and I wasn't very happy with it to be honest, am SHOCKED now to find they had no authority to do so.
I have a very unusual first name and surname (in fact I am the only person ever born with that name in Ireland 1864-2013 and I should think EVER) so that made me very uncomfortable that that info about myself should be online.But like everyone you imagine they have gone through all the legals with a fine tooth comb already

I did manage to find an aunt of mine who died aged 2 and no one ever knew for her existence so happy with that at least.

I dread to think how much money/time has been wasted because no one in Dept of Arts asked an obvious question.