Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Professor Clancy, who is a leading expert on bronchial conditions, came before this committee and I asked him if it was better for a pregnant woman to have a nicotine patch than smoke, and he replied that he was 100% in favour of giving a pregnant woman a patch rather than have her smoke.

My second question is on IVF treatment. There is a great deal going on here this morning so I will be brief. Since 2005, the report on assisted human reproduction has been spoken about. The Minister expects to bring the proposal on these issues to Government late this year. I hope it is the Minister who will do that. It is important that there is equal access for people who are undergoing IVF treatment. It is very expensive for young couples, many of whom are faced with paying huge mortgages. Some of them cannot manage to do that and it is heartbreaking to ask people to spend up to €10,500 to €12,000 for just one session of IVF treatment. It is important that we allow these people who want a child, and the 3,000 people affected by infertility in Ireland, to have a chance at their dream of having a family. I await patiently the report due later this year, and when it is published, I hope it will answer some of the questions I have asked about IVF treatment on many occasions.