Legal

‘Pre-clearance’ process planned for those availing of surrogacy

Assisted Human Reproduction Bill will have a surrogacy section, but role of international surrogacy agencies remains a stumbling block

Proposals are being worked on to add a section on international surrogacy to the Assisted Human Reproduction Bill before the end of the year. Picture: Getty

People intending to avail of international surrogacy will be required to go through a pre-clearance process, under planned new legislation.

Intending parents will be asked to apply to a newly established assisted human reproduction agency to clear a surrogacy arrangement in another country. The arrangement will also have to be consistent with Irish laws around domestic surrogacy as well as laws in the country where the surrogacy will take place.

Proposals are being worked on ...