Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 86:

In page 181, line 12, to delete “section” and substitute “paragraph”.

This amendment would ensure that all non-clinical conceptions up to this paragraph coming into operation would be covered by the legislation, as opposed to just those up to 4 May 2020, the date on which the section of the Child and Family Relationships Act was commenced. We discussed this on Committee Stage and the Minister said that a very clear framework was put in place since May 2020 and that people must comply with it. I find this explanation very difficult to square with what the Minister said was his initial view, which was that non-clinical conceptions should have been provided for in this legislation. I accept the explanation given on Committee Stage as to why that could not be provided for but I still cannot understand why, at the very least, retrospective recognition cannot be extended up to the point at which this paragraph comes into operation. It seems very harsh, especially given that we are to believe that the Minister was originally in favour of providing for all non-clinical conceptions. That is why I would still argue that at the very least, a further amnesty should be applied via this retrospective amendment.

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