The chairperson of the committee on international surrogacy has called for members to treat witnesses in a "respectful way without causing hurt".
Social Democrats TD Jennifer Whitmore said that politicians on the committee had to be mindful that witnesses at the committee had been on a "difficult and long journey".
She said that members at the committee had a privilege to deal with the issues being examined at the committee.
But she said with that privilege came with responsibility.
Ms Whitmore also called on members at the committee not to discuss in public matters which had arisen at private sessions of the committee.
There was controversy at the committee last week when it was suspended after Independent Senator Sharon Keogan was accused of being "crude and cold" towards those who had shared their experiences.
Senator Keogan resigned from the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth yesterday.
In an email to Committee Chair Kathleen Funchion and fellow members, with the subject line "Unsafe Working Environment/ Resignation", she said that she no longer feels safe or protected as a member of the committee.
Ms Keogan said that she will continue to sit on the Joint Committee on International Surrogacy.
During today's meeting of the committee, members discussed issues faced by same sex couples entering international surrogacy arrangements and seeking parental recognition.
Gearoid Kenny Moore, of Irish Gay Dads, called for legislation which would recognise the legal status of parents, both male and female, who have a child through surrogacy.
As part of this, he said there needs to be appropriate medical, legal and psychological supports in place for the surrogate mother before she agrees to proceed.
The father-of-three also called on members to ensure that children have access to information regarding their origins and that intended parents are "treated equally by providing pre-birth determination in relation to parental rights".
Mr Kenny Moore told members that parents like him live in constant fear of what might happen if a biological parent were to die and a "non-recognised parent" was left behind.
"You have just lost your husband and now you have to spend time focusing on how you're going to keep custody of your children," he explained.
Mr Kenny Moore added that the lack of legislation in this area also had implications on "accessing education, welfare supports, medical treatment, etc".
Additional reporting Tommy Meskill
