IVF law to be discussed in parliament within two months

Justice minister Chris Said has told the parliamentary social affairs committee that a proposed Law for in vitro fertilisation will soon be tabled in Parliament.

Said told MaltaToday that he expects the draft law on IVF to be presented for its first reading in Parliament "not before a month's time but not later than two months' time."  

At present, this therapy - deemed controversial on account of its perceived 'wastage' of fertilized human ova, for which reason it is firmly opposed by the Catholic Church - is available from private clinics in Malta in the absence of any regulation at law.

The committee's chairman Edwin Vassallo presented a number of reports which the committee compiled after a lengthy consultation process. He said that the reports concern the family and the needs and aspirations of society.

"The reports contain a number of proposals and should help to widen the consultation process. In turn this should lead to necessary changes to current legislation," Vassallo said.

The first report presented to the Minister for Justice, Public Consultation and the Family, Chris Said concerns poverty and vulnerable children, especially those with single parents or separated parents. Vassallo urged the minister to concentrate his efforts on the strengthening of the family.

Another report focuses on the need for a national strategy on sexual health. Vassallo said the strategy should aim at "reducing and preventing sexual diseases."

The committee also compiled a report on IVF. Vassallo said that the report suggests to deal with the issue differently, by "tackling the educational aspect." He added that even in regards to IVF, life should be considered to start at conception.

Vassallo also explained what was discussed in past meetings of the committee in regards to the IVF legislation. These proposals concern a number of issues including the need to make clear regulations on miscarried embryos and allowing the freezing of embryos in emergency cases.

Other reports deal with the role of the father in the family and the family court. Vassallo pleaded with the minister to seriously consider the proposals carried in the report regarding the family court. Vassallo said that the report includes suggestions to make the court more socially conscious and to give more weight to the children's' needs in separation cases.

A further report deals with the elderly and their role in society. Vassallo added that a report on disability was not presented to Said because it still has not been completed. The same applies for reports on Paceville and school uniforms.

Labour MP Carmelo Abela suggested that the committee should also compile a report on the drugs court which also falls under Said's responsibility. He also proposed that the minister could periodically present reports to the committee on any developments in regards to matters that concern the social affairs committee.

On IVF, Abela stressed the importance of presenting a draft law on the matter at the soonest.

In his address to the committee, Chris Said praised the committee's efforts to deal with sensitive issues by holding wide-ranging consultation processes.

Said added that the reports include important and useful suggestions and emphasised the need to introduce or amend policies and laws which concern families.

He explained the ministry's role in dealing with children under care orders and also stressed the importance of strengthening the family.  

In regards to IVF, Said agreed that the issue is "urgent" and said that the draft law will soon be discussed in Parliament although there are some disagreements on the matter. However he expressed his optimism on reaching a consensus in Parliament.

He also expressed agreement on the need to reinforce the family court in order to improve the court's expertise. Said added that "sometimes the interests of children are not given enough consideration by the court."

On the drugs court he said that the court will work "in a similar fashion to the family court" and said that the judiciary will be given the necessary training to make the court "a specialised court".

Said added that drug users should be provided with all necessary tools to rehabilitate themselves but "the fight against drug traffickers should remain firm and severe."

Labour MP Anthony Zammit, brought up the issue of adoption and fostering. In his reply, the minister said that the issue needs to be studied carefully before making any changes to current legislation.

The parliamentary committee for social affairs met with the Minister for Justice, Public Consultation and the Family, Chris Said. The committee is chaired by Nationalist MP Edwin Vassallo. Other members include government MPs, Frederick Azzopardi, Michael Gonzi, Stephen Spiteri and the Opposition is represented by Anthony Zammit, Carmelo Abela Justyne Caruana.