Interview with Darragh Hyland

is by providing affordable childcare. This is a duty the government must discharge to be economically efficient and to uphold the constitutional rights of its citizens.

I studied Law in college because it felt like a good fit. I played a lot of sport growing up and I always enjoyed competing and challenging myself. I had a strong interest in English and public speaking in secondary school. I did the internship in McCann FitzGerald in the summer of my third year and I experienced first-hand what a typical day could look like in McCann FitzGerald. I also interned in another large professional services firms. Having compared experiences I felt confident that a career in a fast-paced and challenging legal environment would ultimately suit me best. By that stage, I was fortunate to have a traineeship offer from McCann FitzGerald and I had no hesitation in accepting it.

During my internship, I was struck by the deeply committed and professional approach to work in McCann FitzGerald. You could sense that important and innovative projects were being undertaken and it was a privilege to be involved as an intern. The firm was very welcoming and supportive too. Colleagues were also friends, and I was convinced that McCann FitzGerald would be the best place at which to learn and progress.

I have had an amazing time in New York so far – it really has been such a whirlwind! I thought crossing the Samuel Beckett bridge at 9 am in the morning was tough, but now I navigate Times Square on my commute to and from the office! In New York, it really feels like we are on the frontline, representing both the firm, and the country more generally. Deal origination is very exciting, and I really enjoy discussing potential ideas with the team. I have learned about the value we can bring to US clients who are considering using Ireland as a base from which to access the European market, and because this seat is both a corporate and a banking seat, I have been exposed to a variety of exciting transactions.

NATHAN O’REGAN SF LAW AND POLITICS

Surrogacy is seldom discussed in Ireland and at present we have no law governing the practice, Under current Irish law, a woman who gives birth to a child is considered to be the legal mother of that child. If they happen to be single, they are considered the sole parent and guardian of said child. If they are married to a man, the husband is considered the father unless proven otherwise by DNA evidence. This has been upheld by the Supreme Court. In the 2013 case of MR and DR v An t-Ard Chláratheoir, a couple donated their embryo to the woman’s sister so that she could act as a surrogate. Following the birth of twins, the donating woman wished to be recognised as the legal mother of the surrogate twins. The Court held that, as surrogacy wasn’t recognised under Irish law, only the birth mother could be registered as the legal mother of the twins. This is despite the fact that, genetically, the twins were the children of those who donated the embryo. Irish family law provides a few ways to gain guardianship of children. One way is that if someone is married or in a civil partnership with the parent of the child concerned, or has been cohabiting with the parent for more than three years, they may be eligible to apply for guardianship. Other conditions such as demonstrating a shared parental responsibility for the child’s day-to-day care and consent from all the guardians of the child may also be required, but the Court has discretion in deciding what is in the child’s best interest. It is evident that some form of legislation regarding surrogacy is needed to clear up this grey area in Irish family law. Many reports have called for this citing legal, ethical and social concerns regarding this matter. In 2017, the Government approved the The Eagle Gazette Volume 5 Issue 1 · 15