Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 14 July 2020
1097. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Health if the process for the passage of urgent legislation to provide a clear legal framework in respect of assisted human reproduction will be expedited; the timeframe for the passage of this legislation and its commencement; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15078/20]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, the Government approved the drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research, based on the published General Scheme of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill. This comprehensive piece of legislation encompasses the regulation of a range of practices for the first time, including: gamete (sperm or egg) and embryo donation for AHR and research; surrogacy; pre-implantation genetic diagnosis (PGD) of embryos; posthumous assisted reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The General Scheme also provides for the establishment of an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
Drafting of the Bill is ongoing, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. It is not possible at this time to give a definitive timeline for the publication of the Bill and its subsequent passage through the Houses of the Oireachtas. However, the recently-published Programme for Government affirms this Government’s intention to enact this legislation.
