Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 May 2017
774. Deputy Róisín Shortall asked the Minister for Health further to Parliamentary Question No. 126 of 11 April 2017, the number of persons in his Department working on the drafting of the general scheme of this Bill; the reason for the long delay in its publication; if a corresponding timeline for implementation is being developed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [19763/17]
Amharc ar fhreagraOfficials in my Department are currently drafting the General Scheme of legislative provisions on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated research, which will include provisions relating to surrogacy. This comprehensive piece of legislation will regulate 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 stem cell research. The General Scheme will also provide for an independent regulatory authority for AHR.
It is envisaged that the General Scheme will be completed by the end of June 2017. Once the General Scheme has been completed, a memo will be submitted for Government approval, and once approved by Government, I intend to submit the General Scheme to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health for pre-legislative scrutiny. In addition, officials in my Department will engage with the Office of the Parliamentary Counsel to commence the drafting of a Bill based on the approved General Scheme.
