David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I support Deputy Shortall's amendment. I have said several times that this Bill is a really good attempt at balancing the rights of the child, the surrogate mother and the intending parents, which is obviously really difficult to do legally. I agree that what is of paramount importance is the rights of the child in all circumstances, and the Bill generally achieves that goal. I have been lobbied on this issue as well and people have raised potential unintended consequences. One of the issues that was raised with me is how this section interacts with amendment No. 133 and the best interests of the child tests, including the parental order sections. Some concern is being expressed to us by groups and by individuals. We have had a lot of lobbies on this. I am generally satisfied that we are getting that balance right but if there has been any discussion even at departmental level on potential unintended consequences that may be resolved or that the Minister may be satisfied with, yet they were brought to our attention, were looked at and it was decided the balance was right, maybe now is the time, if that happened, to have that conversation with us. I will support the amendment but I am generally satisfied that we have that balance right.