Terry Leyden (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask the Acting Leader if she will comment on or arrange a debate shortly on the ground-breaking decision by Mr. Justice Henry Abbott in the High Court today on the genetic mother of twins born to a surrogate mother who in this case happens to be the genetic mother's sister. Legislation is not in place to provide for this ground-breaking decision. I, therefore, ask the Acting Leader if it is the intention of the Government - I hope it is - to introduce legislation to deal with this matter and not to appeal the decision to the Supreme Court. It is a very well worked out decision by the Mr. Justice Henry Abbott who is a former Member of the other House. It is a very serious decision that will have repercussions for the people concerned. Legislation is not in place to provide for this position, but medical science has advanced to the point where in such cases the mother can be clearly identified. I ask the Acting Leader, as a leading light in this area, to outline her views on the matter and indicate whether the State will appeal this decision to the Supreme Court and whether we should arrange for the Minister for Social Protection, as opposed to the Minister for Health as the Department of Social Protection has responsibility for the Registrar General's office, to come to the House for a debate on it. Mr. Feely, the Registrar General, made a decision on this issue in January which was appealed to the High Court which has made a decision on it today. This decision will ahve major repercussions for the Oireachtas and the Government. I would like to hear the Acting Leader's view in this regard.