Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 19 October 2021
795. Deputy Jim O'Callaghan asked the Minister for Health when he plans to legislate in the area of assisted human reproduction; and if he will be doing so in line with the recently published report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection which recommends that the Government introduce a legislative framework including recognition of international surrogacy and parenting arrangements. [43173/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs the Deputy will be aware, drafting of a bill on assisted human reproduction (AHR) and associated areas of research is ongoing by officials in my Department, in conjunction with the Office of the Attorney General. This comprehensive piece of legislation will encompass the regulation, for the first time in Ireland, of a very wide range of practices, including domestic altruistic surrogacy. I can assure the Deputy that publication of this legislation is a priority for my Department and the Government, and a commitment to enact this legislation is included in the Programme for Government, “Our Shared Future”. Officials in my Department and the Office of the Attorney General continue to prioritise the drafting of this complex legislation and will engage intensively over the next few months to finalise the Bill.
The published report of the Special Rapporteur on Child Protection comprises issues relating to parentage and the right to identity in donor-assisted human reproduction and surrogacy in this jurisdiction and abroad.
As issues relating to international surrogacy raised in the report of the Special Rapporteur concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments, my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in regard to this issue.
