Neasa Hourigan (Dublin Central, Green Party) | Oireachtas source

Deputy Cullinane has dealt with one of my questions around the clarification of the position of parents who are in that guardian role in the interim period and what their entitlements would be in terms of maternity and paternity leave and all of those kinds of social supports.

There is a significant issue around the early weeks of birth where there might be medical issues and decisions to be made. They are often not black and white issues. Sometimes, they are grey area issues and judgment calls. We need some clarification around the absolute nature of the rights of the surrogate in that regard. Perhaps there might be a role for a guardian ad litem system where a third party is involved to ensure that all stakeholders, shall we say, or all parents and the child's best interests are considered.