Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 16 April 2015
45. Deputy Mattie McGrath asked the Minister for Health the proposals that are currently being formulated by his Department for the regulation of commercial surrogacy; his plans to prohibit this practice; the reason for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [14703/15]
Amharc ar fhreagraCurrently in Ireland, the provision of assisted human reproduction services remains largely unregulated. Nonetheless, surrogacy is being practiced here and Irish citizens are also availing of international surrogacy arrangements abroad. Assigning parentage to these children requires court involvement in the vast majority of cases.
On 17th February this year I received Government approval to draft a General Scheme of a comprehensive Bill, which will regulate all aspects of assisted human reproduction, including surrogacy. Surrogacy will be regulated for the first time, commercial surrogacy will be prohibited, however, the reimbursement of reasonable expenses will be permitted.
Numerous concerns have been raised in relation to commercial surrogacy, namely:
- the commodification of the surrogate’s body and the resulting children;
- the welfare of the children;
- the potential for financial coercion and the risk of the exploitation of financially vulnerable women.
There are concerns that financially vulnerable women would not be fully informed of the possible physical and psychological health risks involved or that they might be willing to undergo risks that they would not otherwise for financial gain.
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.
It is my intention that any legislation in this area protects, promotes and ensures the health and safety of parents, others involved in the process (such as donors and surrogate mothers) and, most importantly, the children who will be born as a result of assisted human reproduction. Given the concerns that I have outlined above, permitting commercial surrogacy would not be in keeping with these underlying principles.
