Sandra McLellan (Cork East, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I apologise for Deputy Ó Caoláin's absence. He must shortly leave for a meeting of the joint executive of the North-South Interparliamentary Association in Stormont. He wishes that he could have been present.

I thank our guests for their presentations. We also received presentations last week. Our guests are more than welcome, as this is an important issue. We support an opt out. It is important that donor card holders discuss their intentions with family members so that there is a lesser onus on those members to make a decision. Resources need to be invested in organ donation awareness campaigns, as we must promote donor awareness and encourage people to donate. We should roll out campaigns in schools. The younger that people become interested, the more it becomes a part of normal life.

Organ donation is one issue, but capacity, resources and infrastructure comprise another. A major investment is required to move us into line with best international practice. When reading the statements, I was struck by the fact that Ireland did not have a specific transplant centre or enough transplant surgeons. This important area is being run out of an office by five co-ordinators in Beaumont Hospital in Dublin who have other duties.

The Deputy First Minister, Mr. Martin McGuinness, MLA, recently indicated that he would introduce legislation through the Northern Ireland Executive to provide for presumed consent.