Fidelma Healy Eames (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----he is teasing it out. This is real scrutiny.

I would consider it a very serious offence and a real breach if records were lost. I think there should be a sanction for the loss of records. After all, Senators van Turnhout, Power and I spent weeks and months on a Bill trying to ensure that an adopted person's identity was protected and could be revealed to him or her. Is it not as important that a person who is conceived through donor assisted human reproduction has that information? Let me give the example of Dr. Joanna Rose, who was conceived in this way and has done an incredible level of research for her PhD on people who cannot identify his or her father donor. She has said that it bothers her every day of her life. It becomes a serious mental health issue. We value mental health so why should we not value it in respect of this issue?

Let us call a spade a spade. This is a big money business. It is significant cost to have assisted human reproduction. Do Members know how many thousands it costs? I am sure it costs a great deal more if one has to avail of a donor on top of that. I know a lot about assisted human reproduction between a couple who supply their own egg and sperm. I have many friends and family members who have availed of assisted human reproduction, however, I do not know anything about donor assisted human reproduction and how much that costs. This is a major money business. When one goes into the waiting room one will see middle class people who can afford it. I think if there is a serious breach, there should be a sanction.

I look forward to hearing the Minister's comments.