What did I say?

I apologise. I did mean to say "retired" in fact.

I appreciate that.

Hear, hear.

And so say all of us.

Ar dtús, déanaim comhghairdeas le mo chara agus mo chomhghleacaí, an Seanadóir Kyne. Go n-éirí leis lena dhualgas nua. I was also extremely glad Deputy Fergus O'Dowd had his friends and former classmates from the Sharman Crawford Street technical institute in the House. In the group was my friend from my own home parish, Mattie Kilroy, and his wife Kathleen. Mattie Kilroy is one of those men who really deserves great commendation for being one of those people who greatly contribute to the social capital in our comm…

Under Standing Order 62(3)(b), I request that the division be taken again other than by electronic means.

We have discussed this issue to some degree. A question has arisen in the context of an amendment as to whether two years is a sufficiently long period for a surrogate mother to have been habitually and lawfully resident in the State. For the many reasons I have rehearsed, it is not sufficient.

I move amendment No. 10: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) The surrogate mother only should be allowed decide on any reduction of embryos and must not be obliged by the commissioning adults or their agents to undergo an abortion.".

I move amendment No. 11: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) Any surrogate parent shall be required to sign a declaration demonstrating they understand the risks and effects of their decision.".

I move amendment No. 12: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) No single man shall be allowed to undertake surrogacy.".

I move amendment No. 13: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) Life assurance must be provided to both the surrogate mother and the child by the commissioning parent. The commissioning parent is also required to list new guardians for their surrogate children in the event of their death.".

I move amendment No. 14: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) Only green listed countries listed by the OECD and the DAC may be approved for international surrogacy arrangements covered by this legislation.".

I move amendment No. 15: In page 57, between lines 36 and 37, to insert the following: "(5) (a) No one who was convicted of a child sexual offence either in or outside the State shall be allowed to participate in or avail of surrogacy services. (b) No one who has engaged in a criminal offence against a surrogate mother shall be allowed to participate in or avail of a surrogacy service.".

Vótáil.

This is my first engagement with the Minister since The Irish Times reported us as having traded insults in this House. For the sake of any youth looking in, we should both agree that neither of us was insulting each other personally, even if we have been somewhat insulting of each other’s political point of view. In that regard, I commend the Minister on his tie today. Section 53(3) provides that each of the parties in the case of two intending parents understand that, "should the agreement be approved under this …

Yes but we are at the point now of agreeing the section.

Before we move on from that section, I wish to ask the Minister about it. This is our last chance to ask him about it.

By all means.

But I have a question and I need an answer.