The previous Government enacted the Health Assisted Human Reproduction Bill 2024, nearly two years ago. Vital components of that Bill have not been commenced, leaving families who have used surrogacy in a vulnerable state of limbo without any of the vital legal protections that the Bill sought to give them. I understand that the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority was established last year, but there has been no announcement regarding the appointment of a CEO or other staff or any further necessary legislation. Can the Taoiseach provide an update on the operational capacity of the regulatory authority, the timelines for commencement orders or further legislation from the Minister and make a promise to these families that the protections afforded to them, including the valid recognition of mother-child relationships established via surrogacy under this Bill will be enacted by the end of 2026, as a matter of urgency?

I thank the Deputy for raising this issue. It has always been a complex issue; it is not simple. More than 20 years ago we set up the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction and it has taken that time to get a legislative framework to deal with the many issues pertaining to assisted human reproduction. I will talk to the Minister for Health in this regard. She has prioritised the commencement of this legislation and the creation of a proper edifice and framework to help people, particularly in respect of the surrogacy issue the Deputy referenced.