Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. As stated, AHR treatment is generally available at 18. The age limit for surrogacy was set at 21 to reflect the additional complexities and issues that can arise. We were also cognisant of the need to allow enough time for intending parents to be able to demonstrate that they require surrogacy to start a family. The proposal is to move the age to 25. I do not believe that is necessary. While the Senator references the very significant decision people take to start a family, people obviously make that decision at many ages, often below 25 or 21 and sometimes below 18. I believe 21 strikes the appropriate balance.