Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 2 November 2021
1121. Deputy Mick Barry asked the Minister for Health if he will take steps to amend existing legislation and examine a redraft of the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill to ensure that the rights of children who are born through assisted human reproduction are upheld, and that they are fully protected in law, as recommended by the Special Rapporteur for Children; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [53319/21]
Amharc ar fhreagra1139. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Health the steps he is taking to amend the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2017 as a result of the Special Rapporteur's report entitled A Review of Children's Rights and Best Interests in the Context of Assisted Human Reproduction and Surrogacy in Irish Law. [53361/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraI propose to take Questions Nos. 1121 and 1139 together.
As 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.
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.
The issues raised in the report of the Special Rapporteur in relation to surrogacy and AHR concern areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments and my Department is engaging with the Department of Justice and the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in regard to this issue.
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 will continue to engage intensively with the Office of the Attorney General in order to finalise this complex legislation.
