Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Ms Fitzpatrick and thank her for her contribution. I have a small number of questions. I was a little taken aback by the World Health Organization's definition of infertility as a disease. It jumped out at me. I had a number of such experiences in terms of coeliac, which is also described as a disease, and many other things which I would see as conditions or whatever. The word "disease" has a particular connotation or impact, certainly among lay people like myself. I wonder what Ms Fitzpatrick's view is of the World Health Organization's definition, which struck me as strange but maybe it is not. People having to deal with infertility would not necessarily appreciate it. I wonder about that.

In regard to the number of people in the population affected by infertility, Ms Fitzpatrick indicated that more than 300,000 Irish people are affected by infertility. I am making an assumption here that they are made up of both males and females. Perhaps Ms Fitzpatrick could elaborate as to the number. Is it known? Do we have figures on the number of females and males? Does Ms Fitzpatrick believe the number is a true reflection of the real level of infertility across our population?

The specific actions she would commend or expect, primarily from Government, include a regulatory body to be established by an Act of the Oireachtas to regulate AHR services in Ireland. I presume this has been a lobby going back some considerable time. I wonder would Ms Fitzpatrick elaborate on what engagement she has had. Was it specifically with the Department of Health? Are there other Departments which could, or should, have a direct input? What progress, if any, has there been in terms of any stated commitment or intent?

I am not aware of any promised legislation on the programme of legislation. I do not have it with me to check but I cannot recall that there is even the promise of legislation in terms of the programme, as published, but I wonder whether Ms Fitzpatrick has something more definite at this point in time.

My party would fully support the introduction of such legislation, which, as Ms Fitzpatrick outlined, is her number one recommendation. That is not in any way to relegate any of her other recommendations, but legislation is one of the areas in which we can best assist. I undertake to continue to pursue this matter.