Joint Committee on International Surrogacy chaired by Deputy Jennifer Whitmore holds its first public meeting

The meeting was split into two sessions with the Committee hearing from Officials from the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, the Department of Justice and the Department of Health on the current position of surrogacy in Ireland and in Irish and international law in the first session and from the Government Special Rapporteur on Child Protection Professor Conor O’Mahony in the second session.

The Committee was established to consider and make recommendations on measures to address issues arising from international surrogacy and is scheduled to run for 3 months.

Speaking after the meeting, Committee Cathaoirleach Deputy Jennifer Whitmore said: “I’m delighted to be offered this opportunity to chair this important committee.”

“During its tenure this Committee will discuss in-depth the current position of surrogacy in Ireland and in law both in Ireland and abroad with the stakeholders. There have been a lot of developments in the area of international surrogacy which affect families here in Ireland and so our work will be an important piece of understanding and discovering the implications as well as new developments in this area.”

“The Committee had good engagement with the Government Special Rapporteur, Professor Conor O’Mahony about his recent report and we are keen to undertake our work programme where we will meet with a variety of stakeholders and consider all issues around surrogacy.”

“I look forward to working as Chair of this committee to ensure all voices are listened to as we work through this complex area.”