Vol. 534 No. 1
81 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Health and Children when he intends to introduce legislative measures to deal with the issue of retention and use of organs in hospitals; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9998/01]
The Deputy will be aware that the Government decided to establish an inquiry into all post mortem examination policy, practice and procedure in the State since 1970, in particular as it relates to organ removal, retention, storage and disposal. The inquiry will be conducted in two phases, the first of which is being chaired by Ms Anne Dunne S.C., who will report to me on the inquiry's findings. On completion of the first phase of the inquiry and on receipt of its report, I will table a motion that the report be presented to the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and Children.
With regard to the introduction of legislation in relation to the retention and use of organs in hospitals, I am putting in place a group under the chairmanship of Professor Denis Cusack to prepare proposals in relation to human tissue legislation.
I am concerned at the apparent fall-off in the number of organs being donated for transplantation. I launched the Irish Kidney Association's donor awareness forget-me-not week last Wednesday to lend my support to boosting public awareness of the very positive aspects of organ donation.
Question No. 82 answered with Question No. 56.
