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

The arrangements will of course include health information. It would be non-identifying information, in that a donor's name would not be given at that point. Non-identifying health information would be given and collected in the first instance by the clinic. We had a debate on the Bill on Committee Stage, at which Deputy Shortall was not present, and there was no guillotine in terms of Members' opportunities to contribute, nor was there on Second Stage when 60 Members made contributions. It is true that we are prioritising and allocating time to the Bill.

The details of what could be called the support system that would be built around the provision of the information is something that will be developed in the AHR legislation. This is not retrospective, except in very particular instances such as where court proceedings allow for it in certain very clear situations. This is prospective. When a child is 18 years of age, he or she will have access to identifying information. There is time to develop regulations and best practice, which should be in the best interests of the child, on the provision of this information.

We have had detailed contact with the Department of Social Protection on the necessary changes to the register. This information is like that concerning adoption, where there is a different type of birth certificate. In cases of AHR or DAHR, the person seeking a birth certificate will be told extra information is available. I agree with the Deputy that this is critical for individuals and that is the reason the Bill addresses that point, namely, that the identity of the donor must be known. These are very basic decisions about genetic identity.

As Sweden did 20 years ago, we are moving to known donation. It is the right practice. If a child has the right to genetic information, procedures on how a child and parent can access that information will be established. It is part of a continuum. One part is moving from anonymous to known donation. The second part is the issue of consent and making sure it is built into our legislation very clearly. The next part is the regulation of all clinics so they adhere in a uniform way across the country to the provisions in this Bill and to the broader assisted human reproduction provisions to be developed by the Department of Health.

Access to information is part and parcel of the approach we are taking.

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