Dr. Tony Holohan:

In any case where legal surrogacy takes place in this country, it would be open to any party - either the intending parents or the surrogate - to initiate that process of seeking a court-issued parental order that would have that potential.

With respect to sex selection, I refer to the answer I gave to Deputy O'Reilly earlier that it is imperative we should be clear that this is not sex selection. It might appear to some as an ability for people to make a choice as to whether they have a male or female child but it is very much about limiting the risk of transmission of very significant genetic diseases related to sex chromosomes. Ms Luddy can deal with the matter of posthumous assisted reproduction. There was also mention of age considerations and restrictions that apply throughout to the process of donation and assisted human reproduction. Different age restrictions apply that relate to the evidence we have with respect to biology and likelihood of success etc. Any differences between the sexes or within one sex in different parts of the legislation all relate to evidence with respect to biology. We can speak to any of the details that members wish.