The Deputy will be 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.
While the 2024 Act was progressing through the Houses of Oireachtas, issues were identified which required further consideration and consultation with the Office of the Attorney General.
There has been intensive work between the three relevant Departments (the Department of Health, the Department of Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, and the Department of Children, Disability and Equality) in progressing the drafting of a General Scheme and policy paper, culminating with Government approval being secured for the drafting of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) (Amendment) Bill. The Joint Committee on Health completed its pre-legislative scrutiny of the Bill, based primarily on a policy paper provided by the three Departments, and published its report in October 2025.
As previously advised, the drafting of the Amendment Bill is at a well-advanced stage, led by the Office of Parliamentary Counsel, along with officials from the three relevant Departments. It will be a substantive piece of legislation, largely concerned with outstanding issues of parentage and citizenship, but will also make other necessary amendments to various other sections of the 2024 Act. I expect to be in a position to introduce the published Bill to the Dáil this term.
