Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

My question relates to the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, which is important legislation that was passed before the marriage equality referendum. It was the view of the previous Government that it needed to be passed before that referendum was put to the country. It amends the law to extend parental rights and responsibilities to non-traditional families and it was long overdue. It takes into account the views of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and of the Law Reform Commission report of 2010.

The Bill was signed into law in May 2015 but the Government has yet to sign the statutory instrument to commence the sections of the Act that deal with donor assisted reproduction. To some extent, the old Act is still fit for purpose in terms of traditional families and opposite-sex couples. However, same-sex couples are excluded under the old Act. When will the Government finally commence all sections of the Children and Family Relationships Act so that both spouses can exercise normal parental rights regarding their children?

See this speech in context