No. Surrogacy remains unregulated in Ireland, with no statutory framework governing parentage, payments, or commercial arrangements. The 2022 Assisted Human Reproduction Bill proposes limited legalization by 2026, pending Oireachtas approval. Existing domestic surrogacy is legally precarious, relying on ad hoc court orders under the Guardianship of Infants Act 1964.
Key Regulations for Surrogacy in Ireland
- Parentage transfers require judicial approval post-birth via the Family Law (Surrogacy) Bill 2022, with no automatic recognition of intended parents. Courts assess welfare and consent under the Child and Family Agency’s 2023 guidelines.
- Payments are restricted to “reasonable expenses” under the 2022 Bill, with criminal penalties proposed for commercial surrogacy (€50,000 fines or imprisonment). The Criminal Justice (Sexual Offences and Human Trafficking) Act 2023 reinforces anti-exploitation provisions.
- International surrogacy faces heightened scrutiny. The Department of Health’s 2024 Surrogacy Policy Paper mandates pre-birth agreements reviewed by the Assisted Human Reproduction Regulatory Authority (AHRRA), expected to launch in 2026. Irish courts may refuse to recognize foreign surrogacy orders under EU Private International Law Regulations.