Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a very relevant amendment. The amendment would provide for a transition period to allow couples currently undertaking donor-assisted human reproduction procedures to continue their treatment and to facilitate an orderly move to the regulatory framework, which is envisaged in Parts 2 and 3 of the Bill. The Institute of Obstetrics and Gynaecologists also raised this issue and, obviously, the availability of such a transition would be of huge concern to many couples.

These provisions have to be worked on further and more detail is needed. On Committee Stage I indicated my broad agreement that such a transitional period had its merits and, indeed, I believe it is necessary. As the Deputy has outlined, certain transitional provisions are already included in section 20(5) and 20(6). The Deputy's provision in the proposed subsection (10) would, to some extent, cut across the provisions set out in subsection (6), which sets out a three-year period that is, effectively, a four-year period, given the transition period of at least one year from the commencement date. This is to allow the couple to have a sibling using gametes from the same anonymous donor.

I said on Committee Stage that I was prepared to offer a clear commitment to the House, together with the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, that Parts 2 and 3 would not be commenced for a minimum period of one year from the date of enactment. I repeat that commitment today to ensure that the interests of the many couples undergoing the stresses of donor-assisted fertility treatment can, with their medical teams, continue their treatment. The one-year period will provide at least the same transition period, which will enable couples currently undergoing treatment to continue with that treatment and will give clinics time to prepare for the new regulatory framework. This is a practical and pragmatic administrative solution for which I am today giving a binding commitment in order to enable a seamless transition to the new arrangements. On the basis of that, I ask Deputy Mac Lochlainn not to press the amendment. I have given a very clear commitment in regard to accepting the need for a transition period as well as outlining how long that will be in both instances.

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