Patrick Costello (Dublin South Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

I wish to ask about the Verona Principles' application. They are broad, high-level principles, but what has been the experience of countries trying to implement them or build on them through their own legislation? Part of our work is trying not to reinvent the wheel. If we could see how others have applied the principles, it would be an important lesson for us.

One of the principles refers to a post-birth interests determination. This is a conversation that we have been having in recent weeks and I asked the witnesses who appeared just before this session about it. In some respects, there is a tension between what can be done before birth, what can be done post birth and the importance of legal certainty. This is a matter that our committee will have to decide on for ourselves. In terms of their discussions and agreements, do the witnesses have further information on this matter, how did the ISS come to its decision and what were the various contributions and positions involved?

These two questions are broad enough without me adding more.