Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

Where is the promised amendment to the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Bill? In July of last year, the Dáil passed the first assisted human reproduction Bill, which has still not been commenced. A second Bill, to close the gaps in the law, was promised within weeks, but we still have no sight of it.

Two days before the election, the then Minister for Health, Stephen Donnelly, wrote to campaigners to say that the legislation would be commenced on 1 June. That is two months from today, yet we still do not have a timeline for the Bill. Ten years on from the marriage equality referendum, we should not have the absurd situation for some families where one spouse is a legal parent and the other is a legal stranger. This is utterly unacceptable in a modern, inclusive republic.

When will the second AHR Bill be published? Will the commitment to commence the legislation on 1 June be met? Will the Government re-engage with the affected families and advocates? Will it once and for all provide equality for the children of Ireland?

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