Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 19 September 2012
206. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he has brought forward his proposal to the Government for the draft of the Human Tissue Bill; if not, when will he do so; the length of time after that the formal drafting of the Bill will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39510/12]
View answer207. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health if he will confirm that the Human Tissue Bill will introduce the opt-out organ donation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39511/12]
View answer209. Deputy Billy Kelleher asked the Minister for Health his plans to carry out a public consultation process on the opt-out organ donation system; if so, the timeframe for same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [39513/12]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 206, 207 and 209 together.
The Heads of a Human Tissue Bill that will meet the key recommendation of the Madden Report on Post Mortem Practice and Procedures that no hospital post-mortem may be carried out and no tissue retained without consent/authorisation are at an advanced stage of preparation and I expect to bring these to Government by the end of the year. The Deputy will also be aware that the Programme for Government envisages the introduction of an opt-out system of organ donation, with a view to improving the availability of organs for patients in need of transplantation. This will of course require detailed consideration and further consultation and my Department is examining how best to undertake this and the timeframe involved.
