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

The amendment is problematic in terms of public policy and would have serious implications regarding the European Convention on Human Rights in that it would completely fail to recognise the right of non-marital couples to a private and family life. While Ccnvention jurisprudence in the area of assisted reproduction remains limited, it is likely that providing access to donor-assisted reproduction and legal assignment of parentage only to marital couples could be challenged. The evidence available does not support a contention that only a married couple can provide for the welfare and best interests of a child born through donor-assisted human reproduction.