Parents of children born through surrogacy say it’s "ridiculous" legislation hasn’t been introduced to legally protect their babies.
A demonstration was held outside Leinster House this morning, where parents expressed concern over the new Assisted Human Reproduction Bill.
Mams and dads of kids born through international surrogacy says it’s ridiculous a new bill won’t recognise them as legal parents.
Under current Irish law only biological dads can be deemed a legal father while their partner must wait 2 years before applying to be a guardian pic.twitter.com/AJsAGcrsOs
— Mairéad Cleary (@maireadcleary7) November 2, 2021
Currently, the biological father of a child born through international surrogacy is the legally recognised parent while mothers must wait two years to apply to become a legal guardian.
"In the Ukraine where we went, we're recognised as both parents. I get on a plane and come back to Ireland and it only hit me at that moment that when I was presenting my children to my family I was no longer recognised as their mother," said one mother.
Another said her son is "due his vaccinations this afternoon. My husband will have to bring him because I can't sign the consent forms for him as I've no legal relationship to him."
Senator Mary Seery Kearney, who had her child Scarlett through a surrogate mother, is among those calling for guarantees to be included in this new bill:
"We should create a green list of countries where surrogacy is safe. Not everyone who has a sister or a friend who is willing or able to carry a child for them."
Currently, just biological fathers can be recognised as a parent in Ireland. Their partners must wait 2 years before applying to be a legal guardian of their child.
An Oireachtas committee is being considered to review the bill, the tenth in 21 years.
