Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024

Functions of AHRRA

123. (1) The principal function of the AHRRA is to protect, promote and, in so for as is practicable, ensure the health and wellbeing of—

(a) children born, or to be born, as a result of AHR treatment,

(b) persons undergoing, or about to undergo, AHR treatment, and

(c) intending parents.

(2) Without prejudice to the generality of subsection (1), the AHRRA may, and where required by this Act, shall, in accordance with this Act (or, where paragraph (h) or (o) is applicable, the other enactment concerned)—

(a) issue licences,

(b) amend, revoke or suspend licences,

(c) promote and monitor compliance with this Act by the holders of licences,

(d) establish and maintain the Database,

(e) collect and publish, on its website and in such other media (if any) as it thinks fit, statistical information on AHR, including—

(i) the number of relevant donations (G) or relevant donations (E), or both, made in the State,

(ii) the types of relevant activities provided or undertaken by the holders of licences, and

(iii) the number of AHR treatments, broken down by types of AHR, provided by AHR treatment providers and their outcomes,

(f) prepare or approve of, and publish, codes of practice for the guidance of holders of licences, including different codes in respect of different types of licence,

(g) without prejudice to the generality of Chapter 3 of Part 11 , specify in a code of practice (within the meaning of section 170 ) standards, including appropriate ethical standards, to be observed with the provision or undertaking of relevant activities,

(h) perform functions, pursuant to a delegation under section 41A of the Act of 2015, imposed on the Minister under Part 2 or 3 of that Act,

(i) approve surrogacy agreements in accordance with section 53 or 90 ,

(j) establish and maintain the National Surrogacy Register,

(k) consider and determine applications for the extension of the relevant storage period (G), relevant storage period (E) or relevant storage period (T) in accordance with section 40 , 41 or 42 , as appropriate,

(l) consider and determine applications for HLA matching (within the meaning of section 44 ),

(m) establish and maintain the Register of Genetic Diseases for the purposes of PGT and sex selection (within the meaning of section 44 ),

(n) provide information or advice to the Minister, or make proposals to the Minister, on matters relating to the functions of the AHRRA, and

(o) perform such other functions as are imposed on it by this Act or any other enactment.

(3) The AHRRA may, of its own volition or upon being requested to do so, provide to any person or group of persons such assistance and information as it thinks fit on any matter relating directly or indirectly to AHR.

(4) Subject to this Act, the AHRRA shall be independent in the performance of its functions.

(5) The AHRRA shall perform its functions through or by—

(a) the Board, or

(b) the chief executive officer or any other member of staff of the AHRRA duly authorised in that behalf by the AHRRA.

(6) The AHRRA shall have all such powers as are necessary or expedient for the performance of its functions.