Martin Daly (Roscommon-Galway, Fianna Fail)
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767. To ask the Minister for Health for an update on the proposed Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill; when she expects legislation to be published; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56639/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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As the Deputy is aware, the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 was signed into law by the President in July 2024, having passed all stages in both Houses of the Oireachtas.

The primary purpose of this complex and far-reaching legislation is to regulate fertility clinics providing treatment such as IVF (in-vitro fertilisation), ICSI (intra-cytoplasmic sperm injection) and IUI (intrauterine insemination) and ensure that assisted human reproduction (AHR) practices and related areas of research are conducted in a more consistent and standardised way and with the necessary oversight. Therefore, the AHR Act 2024 encompasses the regulation for the first time of a wide range of practices undertaken in Ireland, including: the use and donation of gametes and embryos for AHR and research; pre-implantation genetic testing of embryos; posthumous assisted human reproduction; and embryo and stem cell research. The establishment of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority, as provided for in the legislation, is a vital aspect required for the effective regulation of this sector.

The AHR Bill as initially published also included provisions in respect of domestic altruistic surrogacy. However, the final AHR Act 2024 also includes substantive new provisions in respect of the regulation of future surrogacy arrangements undertaken by Irish residents in other jurisdictions and the recognition of parentage arising from certain past domestic and international surrogacy arrangements.

While the AHR Act 2024 was progressing through the Houses of Oireachtas, issues were identified which required further consideration and consultation with the Office of the Attorney General. Formal drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill – which is largely concerned with outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship, but also seeks to make other necessary amendments to various sections of the AHR Act 2024 itself – is at an advanced stage, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, in conjunction with officials from my Department, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality.

I welcome the publication on October 8th of the report of the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health in relation to pre-legislative scrutiny of the AHR Amendment Bill and would like to thank the Cathaoirleach, the Deputy, other Committee members and staff for their positive engagement on this matter. The report is being considered by my Department and also other relevant Departments.

I assure the Deputy that publishing the AHR Amendment Bill is a priority for Government and work is continuing to achieve this as soon as practicable.

Pádraig Rice (Cork South-Central, Social Democrats)
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768. To ask the Minister for Health the reason she has only appointed seven ordinary members to the Board of the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), given that section 126(1) of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 provides that the Board shall consist of ten ordinary members; her plans to appoint three further ordinary members to the board; the timeline for same; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56659/25]

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael)
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I am pleased to say that I signed Orders formally establishing the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), as provided for in the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024, and appointing the first Board, including a Chairperson, from 13 October 2025. The AHR legislation will provide for the introduction, for the first time, of a new regulatory environment for a wide range of complex assisted human reproduction practices within Ireland and, indeed, in respect of surrogacy and donor-assisted human reproduction procedures, potentially even some undertaken in other jurisdictions. It is important that establishing a new state agency in this environment is done in a way that can allow it to operate effectively in order to deliver its statutory functions.

As the Deputy is aware, it is a matter for me as Minister for Health to appoint members to the Board. In doing so, I am required to have regard to the provisions of the Act, particularly those articulated in Part 9, and to the Guidelines on Appointments to State Boards, published by the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. All appointments to State Boards, other than appointments explicitly provided for in particular legislation are made from candidates identified through an independent process conducted by stateboards, part of the Public Appointments Service. The Public Appointments Service has responsibility for providing an open, accessible, rigorous and transparent system to support Ministers in making appointments to State Boards. The Public Appointments Service supports Government Departments to assist in the delivery of high-quality governance and accountability through the appointment of diverse, talented and committed board members who reflect the diversity of the society it serves.

Board Members of State Boards are not appointed in their capacity as representatives of particular advocacy groups but as individuals who bring their expertise to bear in the functions of a Board, particularly those relating to high standards of corporate governance in State Agencies. The Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies describes the role of Board members as bringing an independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources, key appointments, and standards of conduct.

Members of State Boards are appointed to act on behalf of the citizen to oversee the running of the affairs of state bodies. State bodies must serve the interests of the taxpayer, pursue value for money in their endeavours (including managing risk appropriately), and act transparently as public entities. Members of State Boards, and the relevant management team, are accountable for the proper management of the organisation.

The Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 requires me to appoint people who have sufficient expertise and experience relating to matters connected with the functions of the AHRRA, and with corporate governance and management generally. In making the appointments I have announced, I had regard to appointing expertise to the Board that will ensure a robust implementation of corporate governance systems and people who can bring independent judgement to bear on issues of strategy, performance, resources, key appointments, and standards of conduct in the AHRRA.

The Board is collectively responsible for providing leadership and direction to the AHRRA within a framework of prudent and effective controls which enables risk to be assessed and managed, and satisfies itself, with reasonable assurance, that such controls are adequate to secure compliance with statutory and governance obligations.

Following the process seeking suitable candidates, I identified members to appoint to the first Board of the AHRRA. Three vacancies remain to be filled and I expect to commence a further campaign to fill these vacancies in due course. I will have regard to the need to ensure candidates will bring relevant additional expertise to the Board, and, in particular, will address the requirements arising in Part 9 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 and in the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.