Judge in surrogacy case learns about legislation plans via the media

'Unacceptable' for court to learn of State's proposed legislation on fifth day of a case where such legislation is relevant, judge says

Kathy and Brian Egan from Kilkenny are asking the court to declare that the State’s failure to provide retrospective recognition of parentage of children born through surrogacy amounts to 'invidious discrimination' against their family. Picture: Collins Courts

The Government’s management of communication of its plan to introduce legislation that would regularise overseas commercial surrogacy has been strongly criticised by a High Court judge.

Mr Justice John Jordan was dissatisfied to have learned via the media that international surrogacy is to be recognised and regulated through new legislation likely to come before the Cabinet next week.