Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 1 to amendment No. 87:

In subsection (9)(a), to delete “make one or more than one payment to” and substitute “engage with”.

Currently the Bill links storage of embryos and gametes to payment. The concern is that this could introduce all kinds of complications for AHR professionals, who have made this point to the Minister already. Many would rather exercise discretion in situations where a couple or a person is struggling to pay. This particular amendment would link storage to a requirement to engage with a storage facility rather than an ability to pay. We talked about this. There may be reasons for somebody not being in a position to pay at a particular time and there would be an understanding of the reason for that by the professionals. There is a requirement for some element of discretion in that. It seems very hard and fast as it is at the moment. I ask the Minister to look at that.