Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate the Minister, Deputy O'Gorman, may not have this information as he is not the lead Minister, but is there a rough timeframe for that going to committee? There are so many people who do not have the luxury of time in relation to retrospective recognition. I understand the complexity because we dealt with it in the committee and it was very complex. However, we came up with very good recommendations in a very tight timeframe. If there is no way it can be done before the legislation has passed, is there a way of saying to parents listening in today that once the legislation is passed, the retrospection could be dealt with within a certain timeframe, maybe six weeks? There are some very good recommendations for couples going forward and we see now that this is an option for family make-up surrogacy. It is becoming more of an option, which is fantastic for people. However, one of the fears is that only addresses issues going forward. It is great and we need that but what about those who are in the situation now and who are really concerned about now? I particularly want to reference the Egan family because they have been through hardship and have been in the courts since last September in regard to this issue.

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