Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 21 April 2015
529. Deputy Catherine Byrne asked the Minister for Health if he will provide an update on proposed new legislation on the issue of assisted human reproduction, including surrogacy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15735/15]
View answerCurrently in Ireland, the provision of assisted human reproduction services remains largely unregulated. On 17 February this year, I received Government approval to draft a General Scheme of legislative provisions dealing with a broad range of aspects relating to assisted human reproduction, including surrogacy and the assignment of parentage in such cases. Under the proposed legislation commercial surrogacy will be prohibited, however, the reimbursement of reasonable expenses for surrogates will be permitted. In addition, the proposed legislation will take cognisance of the 2014 Supreme Court judgment in the MR & Anor v An tArd Chláraitheoir & Ors (surrogacy) case, which found that the birth mother, rather than the genetic mother, is the legal mother of twins born via surrogacy and should be registered as such on the birth certificates.
Following the completion of the draft General Scheme, I intend to submit the Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children for pre-legislative scrutiny. In addition, my Department will conduct a widespread consultation on the draft General Scheme during which stakeholders and members of the public will be invited to share their views.
