Mary Mitchell O'Connor (Dún Laoghaire, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the witnesses for their presentations and say well done to Mr. Brolly for being a living donor. I was struck by Ms Quinn stating it was the ultimate gift she received. Ms O'Halloran stated her life is now her own. This goes back to what Deputy Conway stated, that we must measure it in our own lives. I have two boys and if they needed a donor I would want them to be able to receive a kidney transplant. As a mother I would think twice about donating their organs but if we introduce this it will change the ethos and it will be up for discussion in the family home. One is three times more likely to need an organ than to donate one.

Perhaps I misunderstood, but Mr. Murphy, the chief executive officer of the Irish Kidney Association, stated the status quo is okay. If I were on dialysis I do not know whether I would be that happy. He stated 1,800 people are on dialysis and 3,000 people are enjoying new organs. I am aware of a UCD student from Waterford who has great difficulty. He goes into hospital three days a week and if he wants to go home to his family at weekends, like any student, it must be organised with Waterford Regional Hospital. It is a huge issue if he wants to go on holidays. He is a young student and wants a life ahead of him. I find it hard that the CEO of the Irish Kidney Association stated the status quo is fine. I will give him plenty of time to answer. He stated we need a co-ordinated network in the hospitals, but my understanding is those who want the soft opt out option also want this. What is important is that the family has a say. Mr. Murphy gave examples of people who live alone or are separated, but having this conversation now will give Irish people time before they are ill or on their deathbed for this decision to be made. We are discussing a new ethos whereby people will discuss the soft opt out.