Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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2057. To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice and Equality if he intends to engage with and meet groups representing parents and families of children conceived through surrogacy and assisted human reproduction, as part of the drafting process on the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction)(Amendment) Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [42388/25]

Jim O'Callaghan (Dublin Bay South, Fianna Fail)
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As the Deputy is aware, new legislative provisions on surrogacy and assisted human reproduction are being brought forward by way of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill 2025, which is sponsored by the Minister for Health.

I understand that the Minister for Health has met with representative groups as the Minister sponsoring this important legislation. My officials continue to work with officials of the Department of Health, the Department of Children, Disability and Equality, and the office of the Attorney General on the drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill.

The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill is currently being considered by the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health in its role in the pre-legislative scrutiny process, and I look forward to considering the report of the committee as informed by its engagement with stakeholders. This is an important part of the process of refining proposals in legislation before they are brought to the Houses for debate.

I recognise the importance of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 and the amending legislation to so many families who have created their families through surrogacy or are making plans to do so. The Government is taking care to ensure that the rights, interests, and welfare of all persons involved in surrogacy arrangements – children born through surrogacy, surrogate mothers, parents and intending parents – are considered, having regard in particular to the rights of children as set out in Article 42A of the Constitution.