Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Members for their work on this Bill to date and their contributions in the House this evening. I reiterate the sincere thanks of the Minister for Health to the advocates who have been highlighting the issues raised in this Bill over the past number of years. On behalf of the Minister for Health and the Government, I recognise the importance of the issues raised in this Bill and the need to amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, as well as to provide comprehensive regulation of assisted human reproduction and to extend the circumstances in which parentage can be established. It is for this reason that work on the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 has been prioritised by this Government. As Members will be aware, the Bill started its Committee Stage proceedings yesterday. As was mentioned earlier in the debate, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 will address many of the issues raised in this Private Members’ Bill in a legally robust manner, taking account of all interests and rights arising in the area of donor-assisted human reproduction.

The milestone in legislation will amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 by expanding the circumstances under which a retrospective declaration of parentage can be provided to a second intending parent while clarifying the position of that parent in cases of reciprocal IVF. Further work is ongoing on the issue of procedures which take place abroad and circumstances where the child is born abroad with a view to introducing further possible amendments on Report Stage of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022. These provisions are directly relevant to the provisions of, and principles underlying, the Private Members' Bill. While it is acknowledged that there is still much work left to be done before the commencement of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022, its provisions, when commenced, will form part of the debate on this Private Members' Bill. It is for this reason I urge Members to vote in favour of the amendment tabled by the Government providing for a timed amendment of nine months so that the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill 2022 as enacted and commenced can form part of the Oireachtas consideration of this Private Members' Bill.

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