David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yes, there are a number of amendments, including the Sinn Féin amendment. A number of the amendments relate to the number of surrogacy agreements and pregnancies a surrogate can participate in under the Act. As I understand it - perhaps the Minister will correct my interpretation - the original section limits a surrogate mother to two agreements. However, the amendment limits this to two pregnancies being achieved. Deputies Shortall and Gino Kenny have also proposed a number of amendments.

We all agree that limiting the number of times a person can be a surrogate is something we should do. It is an important part of the legislative framework. However, what has been put to me and what I would like to hear the Minister's view on, is why it is limited to two pregnancies, as opposed to two births. There is an obvious distinction to be made, as there could be a number of miscarriages. If it is only limited to two pregnancies that could be problematic in some circumstances. I am not sure what the logic for that is, what the thinking was in the Department or the subject of the discussions that led to the Minister's amendments and why it is not two births, as opposed to two pregnancies. Others will speak about their amendments. Perhaps the Minister will respond to that point when he gets a chance.