It is reported that couples hoping to have a child by surrogacy will have to go court to receive permission.

The proposal is among a number being discussed by the Department of Health, as it prepares to draft surrogacy legislation.

According to the Irish Independent, senior members of government favour introducing measures that will require potential parents to explain to the courts why they want to have a child through a surrogate.

It is understood the courts would take the interests of the child and the proposed surrogate mother into account, before allowing the arrangement to go ahead.

The issue of surrogacy has been a focal point of the same-sex marriage referendum, which takes place this Friday.

The referendum commissioner has said that the issue of surrogacy has nothing to do with the referendum.