Children and Family Relationships (Amendment) Bill 2023

Public bill · Private Member · Introduced

Changes the rules on who can be recognised as a parent of a donor-conceived child, especially where the child was conceived or born outside Ireland, outside a licensed fertility clinic, or before the 2015 law took effect. It also adds a child’s best interests as the main guide for court decisions, allows some children over 18 to be covered, makes re-registration of birth certificates easier, and gives same-sex female married couples a presumption of maternity. It also clarifies citizenship and maintenance rights, and lets related family law issues be dealt with together in one set of court proceedings.

Formal long title

Bill entitled an Act to amend the Children and Family Relationships Act 2015; to provide for expanded pathways to parentage for parents of donor conceived children.

Last updated 2 May 2025