Jim Walsh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

The amendment brings in these issues although I am somewhat to the side of the amendment. Attached to the amendment is the biological background of the child and the entitlement of the child, at some stage, to become aware and to be informed of this and to be able to access it. Dr. Joanna Rose gave a talk to Oireachtas Members in a neighbouring hotel and she said she had 300 brothers and sisters.

There was a case in Britain that I mentioned last year in which a couple got married only to discover subsequently they were biological brother and sister. This raises an interesting point but we need to have a much wider debate. It really needs to be addressed, particularly with the advances in medical science and the many social changes, including surrogacy. All of these areas need to be considered carefully and regulated. Unfortunately in our jurisdiction, we are devoid of regulation in almost all of these areas. This subject will require deep research before we reach conclusions on the basis of which we can legislate on these issues effectively.