Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

My supplementary questions are similar to what the Chairman asked around existing children and other models. It is important, when speaking about surrogacy, to note it is very different from other pathways. It is not like adoption, fostering or anything else, and it is really important for that message to go out really strongly from this committee. There is a tendency to compare them but they are not comparable at all. I agree fully with the points made by Ms Gamble about surrogates very much not seeing themselves as mothers. That is the experience of anybody I have dealt with, whether surrogates or intending parents. I thank the witnesses for their contributions and opening statements. I failed to say that in the first round of questions.