Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
937 Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin asked the Minister for Health and Children if the State has signed the International Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [22513/04]
View answerIreland is not a signatory to the Council of Europe Convention on Human Rights and Biomedicine as there are difficulties with some articles that have implications for the destruction of human embryos. The question of our signing the convention with formal reservations in respect of articles with which we have difficulty is under consideration.
Human cloning is among a number of issues that are currently being examined by the commission on assisted human reproduction in the context of its preparation of a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all aspects of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area. When completed, the commission's report will provide the basis for informing public debate prior to the finalisation of any policy proposals.
Given the complexity of the issues under examination, it is difficult to be definitive about when the work of the commission will be completed. I am, however, satisfied that it is working as expeditiously as is possible.
