Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 6 December 2022
685. Deputy Sean Sherlock asked the Minister for Health his views on the necessity for transplant capability to be located in tertiary hospitals on a regional basis so as to offset any requirement to export organs outside the jurisdiction in view of the recent decision regarding the opt out provisions for organ donation. [60908/22]
View answerThe Minister for Health secured Government approval for publication of the Human Tissue Bill on 29 November 2022, and the Bill is expected to be published on the Oireachtas website shortly.
Among other things, the Bill provides, for the first time, a national legislative framework for organ donation and transplant services in Ireland. In doing so, it introduces a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation meaning that when a person dies it is assumed that they would wish to donate their organs after their death unless they have made a statement of objection to donation. However, it is important to stress that family members will always be consulted before any action is taken.
Furthermore, under the legislation, those who object to organ donation, for whatever reason, can record their objection on a new Register that is to be established. The wishes of individuals on the register will be respected in full, and their family will not be approached on the issue of organ donation.
The opt out provisions in the Bill will not give rise to any requirement to export organs nor will they impact, of themselves, on the structure or organisation of transplant services.
