Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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Question 243: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she will support a matter (details supplied). [5678/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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For the area of embryonic stem cell research, the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction recommended that:

"Embryo research, including embryonic stem cell research, for specific purposes only and under stringently controlled conditions, should be permitted on surplus embryos that are donated specifically for research. This should be permitted up to fourteen days following fertilisation."

Of significance to this recommendation is the recent judgment in the RvR (frozen embryos) case. The Supreme Court decided in that case the frozen embryos concerned do not have the constitutional protection of Article 40.3.3 of the Constitution. It is my intention to bring forward proposals to Government later this year with a view to drafting legislation to govern the area of Assisted Human Reproduction and related practices — such as that mentioned by the Deputy. The work involved in developing these proposals will examine and consider — among other things — the issues arising from the frozen embryos Supreme Court judgment; and, in the interim, I will not pre-empt this work.