Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent)
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1053. To ask the Minister for Health if there is any legislation defining a human embryo or human foetus; if legislation is planned in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24512/16]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, in the context of Parts 2 and 3 of that Act, which relate to donor-assisted human reproduction (DAHR), defines an embryo as "a human embryo formed by the fertilisation of a human egg by a human sperm".

As the Deputy will be aware, officials in my Department are currently drafting the General Scheme of legislative provisions relating to the area of assisted human reproduction as a whole. The provisions in the General Scheme, including particular definitions, will, where relevant, be consistent with the provisions of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015.