The publication of the report of the Commission on Assisted Human Reproduction is being delayed by the hospital consultants' dispute with the Department of Health, The Irish Times has learned.
The commission, under the chairmanship of Prof Dervilla Donnelly, was set up in March 2000 to consider the ethical, medical and legal implications of human reproductive technology.
At a conference organised by the commission in February last year, the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, stressed the need for a legal framework for such technology. Various spin-offs of this technology, like stem-cell research using surplus human embryos, are not in use here, and are also under discussion by the commission. It has also been discussing artificial insemination, the use of donor eggs, surrogacy, the treatment of embryos generally, and human cloning.
It has been asked to prepare a report for the Minister, which will form the basis for public discussion prior to legislation.
The report was due last June, but this deadline proved impossible, and it was deferred until last October. That deadline was also missed, and the report was then said to be due in January, but it was not ready then either. It was promised this month.
The Irish Times has learned that it has been very close to finalisation for some weeks, but the dispute between the hospital consultants, five of whom are members of the commission, and the Department of Health over liability insurance for historical claims is holding it up. The consultants are not participating in committees involving the Department as part of the dispute.