Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome our witnesses this morning. We all empathise entirely with the people who require the assistance of the witnesses. We have all read and learned and know of people who were delighted to avail of such services.

Will the witnesses comment on the extent to which we can isolate ourselves from worldwide practices, some of which would be repugnant to our interpretation of what is morally right? There have been legal challenges to some fertility services throughout Europe and how can we proof our legislation on such services from the worst excesses of the practices elsewhere?

I can understand the need for a reasonable level of flexibility in the provision of services in Ireland. I know the current legislation, Children and Family Relationships Act 2015 impinges somewhat on what the witnesses see as their ability to provide services in a way which they believe is ideal. Will they give us some further information on that? I may not be able to remain at the meeting for the answer, because I will have to sprint to another Chamber.

Can we be sure that we can isolate ourselves sufficiently from the worst practices in the unregulated areas such as the United States of America and some other countries? Given that there will be a demand for these services, can we ensure best practice for those people who may decide to go to India or the United States and who may not be advised by virtue of our standards?