Frank Feighan (Sligo-Leitrim, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On behalf of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, and Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, I thank all the Members for their valuable contributions today. As the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, said at the outset, the Minister really would have liked to have been here today to introduce this very important, if not historic, legislation. From listening to everyone, I can hear there is broad support for this long-awaited Bill. I assure all speakers that I will inform the Minister of the numerous constructive observations on the Bill. In addition, the relevant officials from the Department have been taking notes of all queries, comments and issues raised today as they look forward to the passage of the Bill to Committee Stage.

Much reference was made to the issue of international surrogacy by essentially all the speakers. I reiterate that it was the Minister, Deputy Donnelly, who proposed to the Government the establishment of the special Oireachtas committee, alongside the Minister for Justice, Deputy McEntee, and Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth, Deputy O'Gorman. Much good work has been done on which I want to compliment them.

The Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, has committed to having regard of the work of the cross-party committee as this Bill progresses through the Houses. Many Members also outlined the financial burden, the agony, the excitement, the heartbreak and the joy of IVF. I wish Deputy Paul Murphy and his partner all the best in that significant journey in the coming weeks and months. There were also many broad discussions on the aspects of the Bill. Again, many Members have welcomed the new committee and the difficult deliberations that will happen. It met today. Many issues need to be addressed and clarified on Committee Stage.

In conclusion, I would like to state my agreement with the desire of the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, to progress this legislation as quickly as possible, as well as with his belief that it will improve the outcomes for and provide certainty to all parties involved in the undertaking of various types of AHR treatment or research. The legislation is important to many people, given that 5,000 or 6,000 couples are going through the personal debt, the stress, the joy and the disappointment of it. This legislation is long overdue.

Again, I want to express my appreciation for a useful debate from all who contributed this evening. I hope that Members across the House can continue to work closely with us in order to potentially improve the Bill and advance it swiftly.

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