Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

599. To ask the Minister for Health if he will provide details of legislative changes or amendments in respect of egg donation which were made to an Act (details supplied) in May 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11015/20]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Parts 2 and 3 of the Children and Family Relationship Act 2015 (as amended) commenced on 4 May 2020 . From this date, in most circumstances, the use of anonymous gametes (egg or sperm) in donor assisted human reproduction procedures carried out in the State is prohibited. There is a three year transition period for families who have had a child and wish to use the same donor to have a genetic sibling(s). 

Under the legislation, egg or sperm donors consent to their details being recorded on the National Donor-Conceived Person Register.  This will enable children to access information on their donor in future years should they so wish thereby embedding their rights to know their genetic heritage. 

Additionally, this legislation provides a legal framework for registering the births of children who are born as a result of assisted human reproduction involving donated eggs or sperm or embryos. The commencement of this legislation represents a significant milestone for families in Ireland as it aligns our family law with the realities of modern family life.

The rights, welfare and best interests of children are fundamental to the legislation.