Recognition of Parentage for Children Born Abroad Through Surrogacy
The Department of Justice has this morning announced the establishment of a Special Joint Oireachtas Committee to examine issues surrounding international surrogacy. https://www.justice.ie/en/JELR/Pages/PR22000005
The proposed terms of reference are:
(1) To expeditiously consider and make recommendations on measures to address issues arising from international surrogacy, having particular regard to:
(a) all aspects of the rights, interests and welfare of children born through international surrogacy, who are independent rights holders, with a specific focus on—
(i) ensuring that children born through international surrogacy can preserve their identity, including their genetic, gestational and social origins, and
(ii) ensuring safeguards against the sale, trafficking and exploitation of children;
(b) the rights, interests and welfare of surrogate mothers, who should be in a position to make independent and informed decisions about international surrogacy arrangements free from exploitation and coercion;
(c) the rights, interests and obligations of intending parents in future international surrogacy arrangements, with a specific focus on the question of access to a legal route to parentage and guardianship under Irish law;
(d) the rights, interests and obligations of intending parents of existing children who have already been born through international surrogacy arrangements, with a specific focus on the question of access to a legal route to parentage and guardianship under Irish law,
(2) For the purpose of paragraph (1), to undertake consultations to hear and consider the views of organisations representing the rights and interests of children born through surrogacy, surrogate mothers and intending parents, and of such other organisations and individuals as the Committee considers appropriate, and
(3) To report to the Houses of the Oireachtas within 3 months of its establishment, with the possibility of an extension.
Hopefully the three-month period for reporting will be adhered to and that comprehensive and forward thinking AHR legislation will be published, enacted and commenced.
