Minister for Health Establishes Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority
Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill TD today established the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA). The Minister has appointed Professor Deirdre Madden, of the School of Law, University of Cork (UCC), as the first Chairperson of the Board.
Speaking today, Minister Carroll MacNeill said:
“Establishing the AHRRA brings essential oversight to this important part of the health service. Professor Madden has extensive expertise in healthcare law and ethics, including assisted human reproduction and surrogacy, bioethics, patient safety, and healthcare regulation.”
“I am confident that Professor Madden’s comprehensive experience will ensure that the AHRRA fulfils its statutory mandate.”
Minister Carroll MacNeill also announced her intention to appoint a further seven people as ordinary members of the Board of the AHRRA as follows:
• Ciara Merrigan, Julie Kenneally, David Crosby and Brian Tobin for a term of four years; and
• Roisin Molloy, Samantha Doyle and Mary Wingfield for a term of three years
Minister Carroll MacNeill added:
“I am grateful to those I am appointing to the Board for taking on this important responsibility in supporting the operations and governance of the Authority.”
Professor Madden said
“Assisted human reproduction (AHR) technologies are a critical component of modern healthcare. The new regulatory structure is crucial to ensuring the health, wellbeing, and legal rights of children born through AHR or surrogacy, intending parents and donors.
“My role is to ensure that the AHRRA operates with the highest standards of prudence, ethics and transparency and with sensitivity. I believe we can deliver on our duties to the wider public, but also those who are service users, intending parents and children. This will make a positive real-world impact in each family’s journey.”