[Niamh.]

They're debating this on the radio atm, what are your thoughts on it? Genetic mother V's birth mother? I would have thought that because the genetic mother actually made the child, it carries her DNA etc then she should be able to be put down as the biological mother on the birth cert because biologically she is the mother. I'm surprised that the DJ is arguing that it should be the woman who carries the child and gives birth to it should be the one put down for historical purposes (the DJ incidentally is adopted himself so that's where his views stems from I guess, having the option to those records)

http://www.rte.ie/news/2014/1107/657...urt-surrogacy/

The genetic mother of twins born to a surrogate has lost her legal battle to be declared the children's legal mother on their birth certificate.

The Supreme Court overturned a High Court decision declaring the genetic mother as the legal mother.

The landmark decision that maternity could be established on the basis of genetics and DNA and that the genetic parents could be named as the twins' parents on their birth certificates was appealed by the State.

Seven Supreme Court judges heard the appeal earlier this year.

Lawyers for the State had argued that the High Court decision was radically wrong and attempted to reverse the meaning of motherhood.

Lawyers for the family said the children had a right to have their links to their genetic parents recognised and protected.

The case came before the High Court last year, when the mother of the twins sought a declaration from the court that she was the legal mother of the children and could be named on their birth certificates.

She could not have children herself because of a medical condition, but her sister agreed to carry the embryos made by the woman and her husband at a fertility clinic.

The High Court gave a declaration that the genetic mother was the legal mother.

The Supreme Court overturned the High Court ruling in a six to one majority decision.

The genetic parents took the case after the Registrar of Births refused to register the genetic mother as the legal mother of the twins on their birth certificates.

The surrogate was registered as the twins' mother, while the genetic father was registered as their legal father.

In the appeal, the State argued a child's legal mother is the person who gives birth to them and that a child cannot, in law, have two mothers at the same time.

The State argued the definition of motherhood under public law was that the woman who carries the child to birth is the mother.

They said if someone else was to become the mother it cannot be by private contract but must be done by a process of public law, such as adoption.

The State said that if the High Court decision was allowed to stand, there would be consequences for many other women who had used donated eggs to have children.

Senior Counsel Michael McDowell had argued that the High Court decision opened up an appalling situation where these women would not be the mothers or guardians of their own children.

He said the decision gave rise to very serious difficulties for the interpretation of the Constitution and seriously compromised the capacity of the Oireachtas to deal with the issue of surrogacy and ascribing parentage.

Lawyers for the family argued that the children had a constitutional right to have the links to their genetic parents recognised and protected.

They said the ultimate proof of parentage was the presence or absence of genetic links established through DNA testing.

Their lawyers had rejected the suggestion that the High Court decision would lead to widespread legal difficulties for women who used donor eggs.

Senior Counsel Gerard Durcan said most donations are made anonymously or by agreement.

He said a birth mother would have rights unless or until someone else sought a declaration of parentage.

Surrogacy a matter for the Oireachtas - Denham

In her ruling, Chief Justice Susan Denham held there was no definition of mother in the Constitution.

She said there was nothing in the Constitution that would prevent the development of appropriate laws on surrogacy.

Ms Justice Denham said any law on surrogacy affected the status and rights of people, especially those of children, created complex relationships and had a deep social content.

She said it was quintessentially a matter for the Oireachtas.

Ms Justice Denham found there was a lacuna in the law and it should be addressed in legislation and not by the court.

Afterwards, the solicitor for the genetic parents, Marion Campbell, said the family was disappointed.

She said there were other families in similar situations. She said surrogacy was happening and legislation needed to be brought in.

Ms Campbell said children born as a result of surrogacy were exposed because there was no legal framework in Ireland to cover their rights.