Derek Keating (Dublin Mid West, Fine Gael)

I welcome the opportunity to contribute on this short Bill, which contains three vital elements in keeping with the Minister's plan to make our health services more effective, efficient and focused on the most important aspect, namely, the needs of the patient. Transferring the management of clotting and biological products from the IBTS to St. James's Hospital, which houses the national centre for coagulation disorders, will provide benefits. In preparation, the administrative arrangements have been made in expectation that this legislation will be enacted. I hope for a unified approach and response from all Deputies, including Opposition Members, to facilitate the Bill's passage without delay.

As outlined by the Minister, the purpose of the Bill is to transfer responsibility for the procurement of the national stocks of clotting agents and products used in the treatment of haemophilia. The legislation will result in a more streamlined system and help to establish a more efficient and financially viable contribution to our health budget, particularly in terms of the purchasing of the products. To protect the health of those who receive transfusions and so on, it is important that we have an effective monitoring and advisory board to ensure the safety and efficacy of all products. I am pleased that this is also provided for in the legislation.

I will move on to a subject that is close to my heart, namely, the voluntary donation of blood. I never want Ireland to go down the road taken by other countries, that is, people who donate blood being paid for that bounty. I strongly object to such an approach. In some Far Eastern countries, some people who find themselves in financial difficulty, for example, the homeless, people on low incomes and people with health issues, queue to sell their blood. They do this to the point at which their health is affected. We in Ireland have a brave and proud tradition, in that our committed population supports the IBTS and our health services, particularly when we see the need of haemophiliacs, anaemia sufferers and others for products derived from donated blood.

The donation of bone marrow to those who have been diagnosed with certain cancers does not fall under the Bill's remit, but it is another example of our nation's commitment to supporting the health service and, thereby, people who find themselves in difficulty and in need of blood. Ireland has another brave and proud tradition. Where tragedy strikes, families donate various organs to ensure the health and welfare of stricken patients. Those patients can benefit from that tragedy.

The efficiency of the health service is close to my heart. My daughter, Niamh, works as a nurse in London, where she studied and trained. We often exchange notes on the health services of Ireland and the UK.

There is one certainty, that being, our citizens' commitment to supporting the health service in terms of organ and blood donations and fund-raising, for example, for the hospice movement and the Alzheimer Society of Ireland. It is important that we continue to monitor the percentage of people who donate blood. It is not as high as it should or could be. The Dáil and Government could address this matter, as doing so would help to promote blood donation and the overall health of Ireland's citizens. I commend the Bill to the House.

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