Frances Fitzgerald (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I discussed this matter on Committee Stage. I will go back to the point I made then. The scope of the Bill is to vindicate the right of the child to his or her identity in order to underpin the assignment of parentage under section 5. I considered including medical information initially and going into all the detail. However, in discussions with the Department of Health, given the complexity of the area and given that it concerns medical information, I made the decision that it was more appropriately dealt with by that Department. Pending the development of the broader AHR Bill, I can assure the Seanad that the level of screening of donors is clinically robust, particularly from the perspective of genetic risks. I am informed that the risk of genetic disorder to children who are conceived by AHR and DAHR is much lower because there is such screening at present. Comprehensive medical histories are taken from prospective donors and their donations are screened. Donors who have genetic conditions which would pose a risk to a child are not accepted. The level of screening including screening for genetic conditions is robust so as to give good guarantees to the intending parents and to give the maximum protection to the child to be born through the donations.

I understand why Senators are suggesting this amendment but I believe it should be dealt with in the broader AHR legislation. This issue would be more appropriately worked on and developed in that legislation. This position arises from my discussions with the Department of Health.