Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 7 April 2004
62 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Health and Children the progress made to date by the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction that was established in March 2000; when he expects to receive its report; and if it was delayed by a dispute between hospital consultants and his Department. [10824/04]
Amharc ar fhreagraThe commission was established in March 2000 with the following terms of reference:
To prepare a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all areas of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area.
The first commission meeting was held on 26 July 2000 and the most recent on 5 February 2004. It adopted an interdisciplinary approach to its work. Initially, each discipline — medical, legal scientific and social — prepared a report outlining its current position on assisted human reproduction. Work groups were then formed to examine specific topics and issues that needed to be addressed. They meet regularly to discuss their tasks and to progress the commission's work.
The work group structure facilitates close attention to a relatively limited range of topics by a highly specialised group. It also facilitates the detailed exploration of a range of ethical and social implications that arise from assisted human reproduction.
The commission organised a day conference in Dublin Castle in September 2001. It dealt with the social, ethical and legal factors inherent in assisted human reproduction. Experts in the various fields from Ireland, the UK, France and Germany exchanged their views.
When the commission was established I indicated that it would be required to seek submissions from the public and to consult appropriate interests. In order to inform itself on the current state of public opinion here on assisted human reproduction the commission placed an advertisement in the newspapers inviting interested members of the public, professional or voluntary organisations, and other parties who wished to do so, to make written submissions before Wednesday, 31 October 2001. Over 1,600 submissions were received and examined.
The commission has engaged in a number of information gathering exercises that include: a survey instrument was drafted with a view to establishing the extent of the provision of assisted human reproduction services in Ireland; the commission issued a survey instrument to a random sample to 50% of GPs in all health board areas and there was a high proportion of respondents; a survey instrument to obstetricians and gynaecologists to elicit information on their level of involvement in assisted human reproduction services; and a survey of public attitudes and opinions on a range of questions on assisted human reproduction.
The commission's report was not held up by the dispute between hospital consultants and my Department. Its work is nearing completion. Unfortunately, it is not possible to say when the report will be finalised given the complex ethical, social and legal implications that arise.
