Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Professor O'Mahony. I have put these questions to different witnesses and a concern I have is that this committee is to last for three months. Today we have had the ombudsman before us and we have had great witnesses before, particularly families involved with surrogacy. What is Professor O'Mahony's opinion on that, particularly as the legislation is so important?

I am asking about the timescale first because while this is not criticism of any Department, this matter will fall under three or four different Departments. I said the last day that I wonder whether there should be one Department leading this and working with the other Departments. When dealing with matters and going from one Department to another, they all do their best, as the witness knows, but sometimes it just does not work. What is Professor O'Mahony's view on the time allowed to our committee? Is the work doable or do we need to look at a longer timescale, practically speaking? There is also the issue of this falling under so many different Departments.