Parents and families should not have to wait any longer for the protections and security of legal certainty
Confirmation that that Government intends to legislate for international surrogacy is hugely welcome, according to Social Democrats Children’s spokesperson Jennifer Whitmore.
Deputy Whitmore, who chaired the Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy, said:
“I am pleased that the Government appears to be taking on board all of the recommendations from the final report of the Oireachtas Committee on International Surrogacy.
“The Committee on International Surrogacy made 32 separate recommendations, which would help to ensure that international surrogacy can take place in a safe and ethical manner, and the Government is now moving ahead to include them in legislation.”
“The primary concern must be the interests of children and their families. As it stands, hundreds of children who are Irish citizens born through surrogacy have no legal relationship with their mothers or some of their fathers.
“There has been an unconscionable failure by successive governments to regulate this hugely complex area to date. However, the reality is that surrogacy happens in Ireland – and the State must respond to that.
“By imposing minimum standards on countries, to which Irish families travel for international surrogacy, the State can ensure that the rights of women who are surrogates, and children, are better protected.
“Parents and families should not have to wait any longer for the protections and security of legal clarity and legal certainty.
“News of this impending legislation will be a welcome Christmas present for those families.”
13 December, 2022
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