Arrangement made for Irish couples to travel immediately from Ukraine with babies born via surrogacy

Arrangements enabling Irish couples travel home immediately with their babies born by surrogacy in Ukraine are ‘extremely welcome’, according to Fine Gael Senator Mary Seery Kearney.

Senator Seery Kearney says she welcomed confirmation from Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney that some of the Irish families involved in surrogacy arrangements in Ukraine are now travelling home.

“I understand the Department of Foreign Affairs has issued emergency travel documentation for children born through a surrogacy arrangement to Irish parents,” Senator Seery Kearney said.

“My colleague, Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney, has confirmed this afternoon that the families involved are safe and that a number of them are currently on their way home.

“I am extremely grateful for the extraordinary effort that has gone into facilitating this, while still ensuring we have a legally robust process.

“A truly incredible amount of work has gone into ensuring the safe return of our families by officials across Government departments, but especially in the Department of Foreign Affairs, who have literally worked through the night.

“I have been liaising with the Department and also with families expecting babies via surrogacy in Ukraine for several weeks.

“I know that this has been an extremely worrying time for them given the ever-evolving situation and travel advice urging Irish citizens to leave due to escalating tensions between Ukraine and Russia.

“Our thoughts are also with the families of those expecting a baby in the coming weeks. No less effort will be put in to ensure the speedy return home to Ireland with their precious little ones,” Senator Seery Kearney concluded