It has become clear over the past number of years that this is a complex, legal and ethical issue. It is precisely for this reason that the expert Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction, chaired by Professor Dervilla Donnelly, has been established. She recently outlined the role and work of the commission to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Enterprise and Small Business during its scrutiny of this matter. The terms of reference of the commission are to prepare a report on the possible approaches to the regulation of all aspects of assisted human reproduction and the social, ethical and legal factors to be taken into account in determining public policy in this area. The commission is due to report in the near future and I am sure that its findings will play a valuable role in informing the development of our national policy in this area.