Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 10 December 2025
354. Deputy Pádraig Rice asked the Minister for Health to provide an update on commencement of section 232 of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2024 (details supplied); the engagements her Department has had with the Department of Justice, Migration and Home Affairs on this matter; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [70718/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraSection 232 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024 will amend section 20 of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015. This will allow for a declaration of parentage to be obtained in circumstances where a donor assisted human reproduction (DAHR) procedure did not take place in a clinical setting and in cases where a known donor was used, providing that the donor consents to the granting of the declaration. This will apply to DAHR procedures which have taken place prior to the commencement of the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015, i.e. prior to 4th May 2020.
As these amendments concern procedures before the District and Circuit Court, it was necessary that the relevant Rules of Court were updated to reflect the changes to be introduced, and before Section 232 of the 2024 Act can be commenced. Officials in my Department worked with colleagues in the Courts Service in the preparation of updated Rules of Court for the District and Circuit Courts.
The updated Rules for the Circuit Court were approved at the meeting of the Circuit Court Rules Committee on 24th October 2025. The District Court Rules Committee approved the updated Rules of Court for the District Courts at its meeting of 11th November 2025.
The changes recently approved by both Committees are now being submitted for concurrence by the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration. My officials are continuing to liaise with officials from that Department in this regard.
Following concurrence from the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration, it will be possible to commence section 232 of the Assisted Human Reproduction Act 2024 Act. I am keen to do this as soon as is practicable thereafter.
