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.
