Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the debate. It is interesting legislation to say the very least and it is very positive. The entire debate is important. It is an issue that affects couples and affects males and females, as Senator Clifford-Lee rightly pointed out. It affects different people throughout their lives. The primary issue is with regard to trying to get pregnant for the first time. Secondary infertility is also a big issue but it is probably not mentioned by many people.

It is a big issue for couples. It is amazing how our generation is speaking about these issues. I compliment my friends in particular on how open they are about speaking about big issues in their lives. Our parents probably did not speak about these issues but we have moved to the next level. This is a normal conversation that could be had at Christmas when we learn so much about our friends whom we went to school with. Secondary infertility is a massive issue for couples and it needs to be acknowledged.

The proposal made in the budget to have IVF available in September caught the imagination of many people. It was a key issue that people who have been dealing with this for so long bucked up and said it is very important. Thousands of people in Ireland go through this every year. We need to make sure we hit the timeline proposed. It is 20 weeks to September and time is ticking. People are asking about the criteria and the funding mechanism. They are asking when, where, how and who, and what should be their plan. This purpose of my contribution today is to ask for clarification on where we are going regarding the funding mechanism promised to make sure we hit the September deadline.

I remember last Christmas quite well when people were speaking about it. They said it was nine months before it would be free. We have had debates and we listened to people's stories. It is a significant issue that affects people. Of all the issues we speak about, trying to make sure people have the ability to have a family is significant. It is a primary issue in so many ways and it affects males and females. This is a significant point. This is across the board in so many ways. Couples are struggling. In many ways they appreciate that this is being spoken about and debated. This is why the Bill is so important.

I compliment Senator Ardagh on speaking about this in 2020. It broke the seal on a very important issue in Irish society that needed to be spoken about. Since the announcement last year that funding would be made available, expectation has built up. People are saying the Government must listen to them on the big issues in society. They are looking forward to the scheme. I hope we get clarity today on what the funding mechanism will be and the timelines. Are we on time? Will we hit the targets that have been proposed?

The universal element is very important. Unfortunately, and this sounds totally snobby, it was those with the ability to pay who had access. That was totally wrong. It was bizarre in so many ways. I hope the new universal scheme will take that away and people will have the ability to access this very important medical procedure they need to have a family. I compliment Senator Ardagh on tabling this Bill and allowing for this debate. It is very important. We need to move forward with the timelines which are so important.