David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will be brief on it. I apologise as I was a little delayed coming back. The amendment concerns domestic surrogacy. We share concerns that were raised with us to the effect that intending parents under section 55(3)(c)(ii) are being asked to substitute the role of the State social welfare system. The point being made with regard to the surrogate mother is that the social welfare element should not be borne by the intending parents alone and that the State should bear the responsibility. If there is a difference between the salary of the surrogate mother and the welfare payments, it should be met by the intending parents, but the social welfare protections for the surrogate mother should be protected. The intention of the amendment was to ensure the State payments to which a non-surrogate parent would be entitled would be available to the surrogate parent.