Mary Seery Kearney (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister very much. I know from Committee Stage in the Dáil that he went through a great and extensive explanation of the screening of anybody who applies for fertility and not just surrogacy. As I said last week, I had a problem where if suddenly one has a diagnosis of something which is going to bring a person into a territory of requiring fertility treatment, and then having to prove oneself as a parent, when that is not the case when one does not have a fertility issue. I would argue that it is discriminatory. If one is in a situation where one has a fertility issue, one does not have a disability, although, technically if one's uterus is not working, there is an organ of one's body which is not working. However, because it can be rectified or mitigated through fertility treatment, it does not qualify as a disability. We have, therefore, made moves on leave to assist people as they go through those fertility treatments.

My point would be that we get no credit except we have to suddenly prove that we will be good parents. During the course of the proceedings of the Committee on International Surrogacy, Ciara Merrigan very powerfully shared that parents through surrogacy go to great extents to prove that they have to be best in class to somehow justify their position. This is also incorrect and wrong that that should happen.

The Minister has given a very thorough explanation of the process and the sheer powers of the regulatory authority. I note that the Minister will have the discretion to extend those powers and, by delegated legislation, be able to ensure that whatever arises can be responded to. It is not just strict in its provision but is elastic to be able to respond to what may arise in the future which I appreciate, despite my little objection.

I completely understand the amendment brought forward by Senator Keogan who has the experience of being a foster mother to so many children and knowing their stories and why she would be particularly sensitive. I really understand that. I would respect that were it not for the line in her tweet about it, which reads:

It is my belief that not every person has the right to be a parent. The prohibition against individuals convicted of child sexual offenses participating in or availing of #surrogacy services is a crucial safeguard to protect the interests and well-being of children born through #surrogacy. I will be putting this to a vote on Wednesday. Please contact your #SENATORs.

These are the two crucial lines: "I can't believe something like this needs lobbying. Ireland gets sicker by the day under this government."

The unfortunate piece here is that the Minister's extensive explanation and my position on this extensive screening will not be tweeted and will not be put out on a reel on social media. Those explanations will not be but misinformation that the Government has not considered it and rejected their amendment will be. That is the piece that will go out. The fact that it is a lie is irrelevant.

In defence of Irish Families Through Surrogacy, no one wants someone with a sexual offence conviction to be in surrogacy or, in actual fact, in any parenting role. Where is the raft of Private Members' Bills prohibiting anyone with a sexual conviction ever seeing their own children again, or ever procreating another child again? Where is the raft of that legislation, if that is the case? We would not not even dream of it.