Vol. 483 No. 2
37 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children the number of people travelling to the United Kingdom and other destinations to avail of easy access for reproductive procedures and techniques; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19856/97]
47 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health and Children his views on the required legislation, if any, to address the issues in relation to reproductive procedures and techniques; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19855/97]
63 Mr. Higgins (Mayo) asked the Minister for Health and Children the steps, if any, he will take to provide legislation on the issues arising as a result of the new scientific methods of assisted reproduction particularly to address parentage of children born as a result of the use of donor eggs and sperm. [19864/97]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 37, 47 and 63 together.
The Deputies will appreciate that proposals which relate to assisted human reproduction raise significant legal and ethical issues. I am of the view that a careful examination of a range of matters in this complex area is needed and I am currently considering how best these might be addressed.
The current position is that such services are subject to the guidelines issued by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists of the Royal College of Surgeons of Ireland and approved by the Medical Council.
There is no information available to my Department in relation to the number of persons travelling to the United Kingdom to avail themselves of human assisted reproduction services.
