Seanad debates

Thursday, 26 March 2015

Children and Family Relationships Bill 2015: Committee Stage

 

10:30 am

Photo of Fidelma Healy EamesFidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I note the Minister's acceptance that my point about the need for independent counselling rather than something which comes from the donor facility is relevant. We should not put something into law that is not good practice. She says the Minister for Health, Deputy Varadkar, will bring a provision forward in the future, but let us do it now. The Minister has time before Report Stage to bring forward an amendment to clarify this. She says that a declaration under subsection (1)(c) shall be made before the donation is made and shall be in writing, dated and signed by the person in the presence of a person authorised in that behalf by the operator of the donation facility where the gamete is provided. That seems awfully basic to me. It is basically saying that if the consent is given and signed over to the donor facility or clinic then that is good enough. The Minister agrees with me that independent counselling is vital. We are talking about the maturity of a person as young as 18 who is making this decision, so let us fix the Bill now. Will she bring forward an amendment to this end?

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