Mark Feehily wishes Ireland would update its surrogacy legislation so he will not have to travel “to the other side of the world” to have another child. The Westlife singer has openly spoken about Ireland’s legislation, and feels those born to LGBTQ parents should have greater recognition.
Mark and his partner Cailean welcomed their baby girl, Layla into their family in 2019. Now, the Westlife singer believes that when it comes to the rights of same sex couples, legislation in Ireland is far behind where it needs to be.
Speaking to Amy Huberman on Aldi's Mamia & Me podcast, Mark opened up on how the legislation has affected his family and calls for change.
“I loved to not have to go to the other side of the world to do what we did," he said. "It's Layla's equal rights, kids born through surrogacy at the moment, when they come back to Ireland are fit into law made for a different set of people. The children are here, they’re born, and they deserve to be recognised. They deserve to be taken care of legally [...] As a father, I feel a duty to do what I can to create a better world for my daughter to grow up in.”
Mark continued to discuss his empathy for other couples battling the process. Although he knows every parent’s journey is different, he feels there are too many same sex parents are facing struggles.
Mark has revealed that many same sex couples have been in touch with the Westlife star in regard to asking him for advice. Although he feels his is “no expert”, Mark said he is happy to give any advice he can.
“At the moment in Ireland the legislation is designed around the more traditional heterosexual, man and a woman have a baby. Families who have children through surrogacy are having to squeeze themselves into the rules and the laws that have been made up for a completely different situation."
Mark and partner Cailean welcomed a baby via surrogacy in 2019. He announced that they were expecting a girl during one of the band's many Croke Park gigs.
“That's an exclusive,” he told the crowd, adding “I can't wait for her to grow up in this wonderful country.”
