Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Labour Party on bringing forth this legislation and I commend the Government for taking it in Government time. As pointed out by Senator Sherlock, Ireland is one of a few countries that does not publicly fund IVF, which affects one in six couples. This legislation in regard to leave in the workplace is a really important step to ensure that the stigma associated with fertility treatment and suffering a loss is reduced dramatically, and that for those who suffer losses or have to go through IVF the journey is a less lonely one. It is important that the State acknowledges this.

During the previous Seanad, I went through five rounds of IVF. This legislation will not affect officeholders, just as the maternity legislation does not protect officeholders and we are not entitled to maternity leave. It is important, for elected representatives, councillors, Senators and Deputies, that we tease out how a provision might be included in this legislation that would be helpful to them. When I was going through IVF, I was constantly ducking and diving into meetings, making up excuses as to why I might have to leave early or arrived late. It is not just about the fertility appointments. There is an emotional and mental health effect of it. The individual needs some time afterwards to break down what has happened, how the test went or did not go and so on. There are many ups and downs. This is great legislation, but we need to follow on from it and ensure that, as stated by Senator Sherlock, we provide publicly funded IVF.

My colleague, Senator O'Loughlin, and I have a Bill almost ready for publication, which we are hoping to bring forward in Fianna Fáil Private Members' time. We know that the assisted human reproduction Bill is coming down the road, but there are no funding provisions in that Bill in that it relates purely to regulation.

As stated by Senator Sherlock, there are fertility hubs, but there is still a huge vacuum in terms of how we are going to fund IVF. Cycles of IVF can cost between €5,000 and €10,000. That level of funding has not yet been properly committed to in this country. I am delighted to support this Bill, but I hope it can be somehow extended to officeholders as well.