As the Deputy will be aware, international surrogacy raises complex ethical questions concerning areas of law that intersect across the remits of several Government Departments and require detailed examination. The issues which arise from Irish people engaging in cross-border surrogacy primarily relate to parentage, guardianship, citizenship and, potentially, adoption.
I welcome the publication of the Special Joint Oireachtas Committee’s on International Surrogacy report and wish to commend Committee’s member for the diligent work. The Committee’s recommendations raise a range of complex, policy matter issues which require detailed consideration by Department of Health, Department of Justice and Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
Department officials and I are currently reviewing the Committee’s report and will continue to engage collaboratively with relevant Departments in detailed consideration of the Committee’s recommendations.
The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 (AHR Bill) passed Second Stage in the Dáil on March 23rd 2022 and has been referred to the Select Committee on Health for Third Stage. I am particularly determined to progress this much-needed and long-awaited piece of historic legislation as quickly as possible and avoid any further delays to a robust regulatory framework for AHR being put in place.
As published, the AHR Bill provides that, subject to certain criteria being met, AHR treatment will be available to people irrespective of gender, marital status or sexual orientation. The aim of the AHR legislation is to promote and ensure the health and safety of children born as a result of AHR, people undergoing AHR and intending parents.
