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

Let me tease this out with the Minister. I note that there will be a series of inspections to decide whether a donor-assisted facility is compliant. What will the expertise of those inspectors be? Will HIQA have a role in this? I have considerable respect for HIQA. To be fair, the Minister has laid out very sound first principles around consent, disclosure and record keeping, and against anonymity. It follows, therefore, that the Minister would want to enforce those principles. How will she enforce them if the process is to go to the Circuit Court followed by appeal to the High Court? The Bill is written in such a way that it gives the facility every chance to correct itself. I accept Senator Norris's point that if it does not comply the rules of contempt of court should apply, but I am not so sure. I would like to know more about that.

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