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

Apologies have been received from Deputies Higgins and Whitmore.

The purpose of today's meeting is to resume our engagement on international surrogacy and to examine how best to provide a route to parental recognition for intending parents in international surrogacy arrangements as well as issues arising from delayed parental recognition.

On behalf of the committee, I welcome the representatives from the Assisted Human Reproduction Coalition. We are joined by Ms Elaine Cohalan, its chairperson, as well as representatives from its various groups. From Irish Gay Dads, I welcome Mr. Gearóid Kenny Moore. From LGBT Ireland, I welcome Ms Claire O'Connell. From Irish Families Through Surrogacy, I welcome Ms Ciara Merrigan. From Equality for Children, I welcome Ms Ranae von Meding. I apologise if I have mispronounced any of your names. Please, correct me as we go through the discussion. I also welcome Ms Selina Bonnie from Independent Living Movement Ireland, ILMI, who is joining us via Microsoft Teams.

Before we begin, I need to go through some housekeeping matters and the note on parliamentary privilege. Witnesses are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice that they should not criticise or make charges against any person or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable or otherwise engage in speech that may be regarded as damaging to the good name of the person or entity. Therefore, if their statements are potentially defamatory in respect of an identifiable person or entity, they will be directed to discontinue their remarks. It is imperative that they comply with any such direction. For witnesses attending remotely from outside the Leinster House campus, there are some limitations to parliamentary privilege and, as such, they may not benefit from the same level of immunity from legal proceedings as a witness who is physically present does. Witnesses participating in this meeting from a jurisdiction outside the State are advised that they should also be mindful of their domestic law and how it may apply to the evidence they give.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the Houses or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable. I remind members of the constitutional requirement that they must be physically present within the confines of the Leinster House complex to participate in public meetings. I cannot permit a member to participate where he or she is not adhering to this constitutional requirement. Therefore, any member who attempts to participate from outside the precincts of Leinster House will be asked to leave the meeting. I ask any member participating via Microsoft Teams to confirm prior to making his or her contribution that he or she is on the grounds of the Leinster House campus.

I wish to remind everyone about personal responsibility as regards mask wearing when not speaking.

We can now move on to the discussion. I am glad all of the witnesses have been able to join us. Some of them attended the children's committee virtually, so it is great to see people in real life for a change. I call Ms Cohalan.