Ivana Bacik (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I also extend a welcome to Professor Huxley, who is in the Visitors' Gallery.

I call for a debate on legislation on assisted human reproduction following the two judgments on surrogacy by Mr. Justice Henry Abbott at the High Court yesterday. We discussed them briefly on yesterday's Order of Business. I wish to reiterate how important it is that we legislate in this area. It is inappropriate that families and parents are forced to litigate in order to ensure that the rights of their children are recognised. The judgments appear to be eminently sensible in the circumstances and in the best interests of the children concerned, of whom there were a number.

I note that the Government rapporteur, Mr. Geoffrey Shannon, has also called for legislation to regulate the area and to ensure that parents and families are aware of their rights and responsibilities, and of their children's rights, in this regard. I commend the former Senator, Mary Henry, who pioneered the matter in the Seanad previously.

I call for a debate on Traveller ethnicity. There is growing momentum in support of legal recognition of Traveller ethnicity. I note that the matter was the subject of the "Prime Time" programme last night. Deputy Pádraig Mac Lochlainn participated in the programme and I commend him on his moves to ensure there is cross-party support for recognition of Travellers' ethnicity. I know that Deputy Aodhán Ó Ríordáin has also been very active in this regard. The Labour Party is happy to support the matter. We can see there is a growing consensus in this area and it might be worth debating it in the House in advance or anticipation of legislation.

I note that it has been reported today that the report on Ireland by the UN Special Rapporteur on Human Rights Defenders, Mrs. Margaret Sekaggya, is critical in a number of respects - notably, the lack of legislation on abortion regarding the X case, although I know the Government is moving on this swiftly. She was also critical of prison conditions. I remind the House that the Oireachtas justice committee will publish, in the next week or so, a report on penal reform which will address prison conditions and overcrowding, among other things. I ask the Leader for the opportunity to debate the matter in the House once the report has been published.