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

The Senators raise an important point concerning information about a child's origins and identity. In the first instance, it is preferable if parents discuss the issue with and inform their child. The comments by the Institute of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists were connected to the type of counselling a couple would receive in the first instance and the need to fully discuss these types of decisions and point out the various implications in terms of the identity issues that arise. This will require a cultural shift towards greater openness, discussion and disclosure. There has not been any impetus towards such a shift in this country in respect of donor assisted human reproduction. The provisions we have made in this regard will encourage this, however.

On the issue of age, as I indicated, the best practice would be for parents to have discussions with their children at an earlier age than 18 years. We have learned from the adoption process that the earlier discussions about a child's adoption take place, the better the outcomes. I reiterate the point I made on Committee Stage regarding the proposal in this amendment.I have some sympathy with the spirit of the amendment in that we do not take enough account of the position of mature minors in our legislation in general, and we often have different ages for different aspects of our legislation. It is an issue which requires consideration at a whole Government level, rather than being addressed piecemeal for a small minority of children in the exclusive context of donor assisted human reproduction, so I cannot accept the amendment.