Dr. Mary Wingfield:

As the committee is aware, there is no legislation or regulation in Ireland regarding these things. Each clinic will have its own policies. Generally, most of the clinics are part of the Irish Fertility Society and we follow what would be best practice internationally, particularly in the United Kingdom. However, this leaves the clinics a little vulnerable. Let us suppose a man has frozen sperm and he subsequently dies. If his partner wishes to use the sperm, if they have received counselling prior to freezing the sperm and if they have made a wish that the male would like his partner to be able to use that sperm, then some clinics will allow that while other clinics do not. Those of us who work in the clinics believe we are vulnerable. Who are we to decide whether we should be able to do it? We believe strongly that there should be regulation of this area and legislation around it.