Professor Deirdre Madden

Professor Madden, of the School of Law at University College Cork (UCC) is a specialist in healthcare law and ethics, holding a Master’s degree in surrogacy and a PhD in the law relating to assisted human reproduction (AHR).

She will be joined on the board by seven ordinary members.

Ciara Merrigan, Dr Julie Kenneally, Professor David Crosby and Dr Brian Tobin are to join the board for a term of four years, while Roisin Molloy, Dr Samantha Doyle and Professor Mary Wingfield will be appointed for a term of three years.

Health minister Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said: “Establishing the AHRRA brings essential oversight to this important part of the health service.

“Professor Madden has extensive expertise in healthcare law and ethics, including assisted human reproduction and surrogacy, bioethics, patient safety, and healthcare regulation.

“I am confident that Professor Madden’s comprehensive experience will ensure that the AHRRA fulfils its statutory mandate.”

In respect of the ordinary members, she added: “I am grateful to those I am appointing to the board for taking on this important responsibility in supporting the operations and governance of the Authority.”

Professor Madden said: “Assisted human reproduction technologies are a critical component of modern healthcare.

“The new regulatory structure is crucial to ensuring the health, wellbeing, and legal rights of children born through AHR or surrogacy, intending parents and donors.

“My role is to ensure that the AHRRA operates with the highest standards of prudence, ethics and transparency and with sensitivity.

“I believe we can deliver on our duties to the wider public, but also those who are service users, intending parents and children. This will make a positive real-world impact in each family’s journey.”

The AHRRA has been established under section 122 of Part 9 of the Health (Assisted Human Reproduction) Act 2024.

The complex and far-reaching piece of legislation establishes a regulatory framework for a wide range of assisted human reproduction and surrogacy practices for the first time in Ireland.