Results 5,121-5,140 of 5,732 for speaker:Fidelma Healy Eames

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Yes, it was.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Senator.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We can.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is not meant to be disrespectful.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I thank the Minister for her response. To be fair, I completely agree with her and am happy to hear her say this Bill does not cover a wide range of issues. Can I presume, in that, she is referring to donor-assisted human reproduction with regard to related persons or intergenerational donation? I was very disappointed the justice committee hearing on this Bill was so short. It was one I...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I do not think it fair to compare single parents or widowed persons - the Minister referred just to single parents - who have conceived their children naturally. I completely agree that 36% of our children are now born to single parents and that it is a social reality. I really do not know how they do it. I take my hat off to them, because it is so difficult sometimes to rear a child with...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This is about Ireland now.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: We are talking about the future.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: At the moment.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I just want to make an input.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Okay.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: This amendment, which has been tabled by Senators Quinn and Mullen, proposes that we delete "18 years" and substitute "21 years" in section 6(1) of the Bill. Could I clarify at the outset that we are talking about the regulation of the donation of sperm donated in this country, as opposed to sperm donated in Denmark or some other country?

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: Exactly. That is what I thought. I am talking about donations made here. I do not know if there are other people in this House who have sons aged 18 or 19. I certainly think it would be very wise to let them be as old as possible before they make such a far-reaching decision. It is very little to ask that the age limit be extended from 18 to 21. I will set out what I have learned about...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I note the Minister's acceptance that my point about the need for independent counselling rather than something which comes from the donor facility is relevant. We should not put something into law that is not good practice. She says the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, will bring a provision forward in the future, but let us do it now. The Minister has time before Report Stage to...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I agree with Senator Power that we must think of the child and his or her identity because knowledge of one's identity is vital to one's personality. Why would we do anything that conflicts with this view, which is supported by the recent legislation introduced by the Oireachtas? It is very important that people have certainty that they will be able to trace their genealogy. That the...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: That is the same as the adoption argument.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: It is like saying that adoptive families do not want to know about the child's birth parents.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The way the provision is written is pie in the sky. While it is desirable to update the information, once the donor makes the donation and hands over the original information, what is the chance he or she will stay in contact with the registry and keep updating it?I would imagine they are very slim. What type of information does the Minister want the donor to add to the register as time...

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: The Senator has made his point very well and it is well worth considering. One cannot always plan for the future and circumstances change.

Seanad: Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage (26 Mar 2015)

Fidelma Healy Eames: I have some sympathy for this amendment. I also see the Minister’s point because this is about an embryo which is created by two people, not a gamete by one or another. Is it possible that a measure would be included in the original consent that would address the issue of one person dying or a separation? This would ensure there is a clear roadmap because we do not need court cases...