Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 29 September 2004
756 Ms O. Mitchell asked the Minister for Health and Children if he has plans to introduce legislation to regulate the circumstances in which organ retention for research purposes or for transplantation purposes may take place in future. [21402/04]
View answerAn EU directive on standards of quality and safety in relation to human tissues and cells was adopted on 31 March last. The directive will set minimum standards with regard to the donation, procurement, testing, processing, storage and distribution of human tissues and cells for human applications. The directive must be transposed in member states by 6 April 2006 and this will give Ireland a framework on which to build the legislative base for all such activities. Work has commenced on the drafting of legislation to transpose the directive and on identifying the other steps to be taken to ensure compliance with the directive.
The European Commission is currently considering the question of a directive in respect of organ transplantation, including the issue of consent, and proposes to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report on its analysis to the Council of the European Union as soon as possible. It is hoped that this will provide the framework for the development of legislation in this area.
In the meantime, the Minister will be establishing an expert group to review organ donation, procurement and utilisation policy in Ireland. The work of this group will inform Ireland's contribution to the discussions in relation to the proposed directive on organs.
