Ruane accused of Keogan of bigotry, and of being “cold and cruel”.
A Joint Committee discussion on international surrogacy was suspended on Thursday following verbal clashes between senators on the topic.
Independent Senator Sharon Keogan was accused of bigotry by Senator Lynn Ruane following comments made towards representatives of those who use international surrogacy.
“I wholeheartedly object to the commercialisation of the human child,” Keogan said.
“Surrogacy, I believe, is harmful, is exploitative, and is unethical.
“I don’t believe it is everyone’s right to have a child.
“It is a privilege to give birth, and it can be dangerous, even to those with medical attention.”
Keogan asked representatives why they thought that many European countries don’t allow “commercial surrogacy”.
As Keogan asked questions, and put forth her view that surrogacy is “whitewashing” the surrogate mother from the child’s life, Ruane could be seen shaking her head in disagreement.
Elaine Cohalan, Chairperson of the Assisted Human Reproduction Coalition, warned senators of the use of “inflammatory language”.
Cohalan, a member of the LGBTQ+ community, spoke about “bearing the scars” of hurtful language that was used during the marriage equality referendum in 2015.
As she spoke about how the language used in the chamber could be hurtful, Keogan interrupted her to say “could you answer the questions please?”
Keogan dismissed accusations of inflammatory language, saying that she was providing “critical thinking” to the bill.
Claire O’Connell, a representative for LGBT Ireland, reminded Keogan that under Irish law and International Human Rights Law, anyone has the right to parent a child.
Senator Lynn Ruane said that witnesses at the Joint Committee meeting took a “huge emotional toll” to share their stories surrounding surrogacy.
“I think it’s difficult to hear other contributors saying to ‘critically engage’ with something.
“To critically engage with something, you have to be able to understand all sides of it.
“Outright opposing something due to a personal bigotry or belief is not critically engaging with a topic.”
Keogan objected to the use of “bigotry”, saying that she wasn’t being bigoted.
“I think you’ll find you are,” Ruane replied.
“You need to check your Christian values.
“Respect, compassion, love, everything, you don’t show it.
“You’re crude and you’re cold.”
Keogan said that the meeting could not be an echo chamber, and should allow all views, with others replying that she was doing so in a disrespectful manner.
Keogan then pointed at Gearoid Kenny Moore, a representative of Irish Gay Dads, saying “you’re very lucky to be here,” at which point the meeting was suspended.
The meeting was restarted several minutes later, with Keogan refusing to apologise for her comments.
“I am the victim of vicious personal attacks, and will not stoop to that level.”
Keogan was then removed from the meeting.
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