Results 2,241-2,260 of 3,983 for speaker:Jennifer Whitmore

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Business of Joint Committee (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: Good morning everybody. We have received apologies from Deputies Higgins and Niamh Smyth. Before we start, I have a few comments to make. This committee has been tasked with examining the issues surrounding international surrogacy, in particular the rights, interests and welfare of the children born through international surrogacy, the rights, interests and welfare of surrogate mothers, the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: We have two sessions today. In the first we will look at the particular issues faced by same sex couples, both male and female, in entering international surrogacy arrangements and achieving parental recognition. On behalf of the committee, I welcome Dr. Lydia Bracken, assistant dean for equality, diversity and inclusion in the faculty of arts, humanities and social sciences of the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I thank Dr. Bracken for her contribution and invite Mr. Kenny Moore to make his opening statement. He will split his time with Mr. Lennon.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I thank both witnesses for coming in and telling their stories. I know how difficult it is, but it is so important for us to hear their experiences so that we can take them into account as we move forward. I thank them for that. I will now move on to the questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: Although we have gone over the allotted time, I will allow Mr. Kenny Moore and Mr. Lennon to respond. I will also be flexible with other members as there is flexibility in the schedule.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: Does the Deputy have any other questions?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: We will try to see whether Senator McGreehan is back online.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: We will come back to her.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: We move on to Senator Clifford-Lee. I can see from the blinds behind her she is on campus but I ask her to confirm it for us.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: We are really short on time. I have only a minute or two for the final question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: No. I am sorry. We have gone over.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I have one question which is a follow-up to one of the questions Senator Clifford-Lee had for Dr. Bracken. When Dr. Bracken talked about how we could not adjudicate on entire jurisdictions and it should be it on a case-by-case basis, is there an option or a model whereby we accredit particular entities or clinics because we determine that they follow a particular ethical pathway and that we...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: A written response would be fantastic. I thank Dr. Bracken. I thank each of our witnesses for coming in today. Each time we have these conversations, it further cements the fact that we cannot keep going with the system that we have. The system that we have is the one that most disadvantages, makes vulnerable and takes away the rights of children, surrogates and intending parents. I...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: In our second session today, we will be considering the provision of citizenship rights and travel documents for children born through international surrogacy arrangements, ensuring that existing children born through such arrangements can exercise citizenship rights and have access to travel documents and arrangements for the verification of documents issued in other countries. On behalf...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I thank the witnesses for their contributions and I now invite Senator Mary Seery Kearney to ask questions.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: Senator Keogan is next.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: The Senator had a third question.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I will briefly touch on the point Senator Ruane was making. Is there an issue in relation to discrimination if a man in a same-sex relationship does not have the presumption of fatherhood granted when a man in a heterosexual relationship does?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy: Issues relating to International Surrogacy Arrangements and Achieving Parental Recognition: Discussion (28 Apr 2022)

Jennifer Whitmore: I have a question on the safeguards. In the previous session we spoke about how to ensure there is an ethical process in place. The models we looked at would not be viable to assess entire jurisdictions. Perhaps it was to be done more on a case-by-case basis. There is a middle option whereby there is potential for assessing particular clinics to state they follow certain guidelines and...