Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 25 April 2013

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children

Organ Donation: Discussion (Resumed)

12:05 pm

Photo of Feargal QuinnFeargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Chairman. I welcome and am delighted to see the team in attendance. When I introduced my Bill in 2009, few voices questioned the safety of or belief in presumed consent. There were many additions to the effect that, as Professor Egan explained well, presumed consent would only work if the infrastructure was in place. We also took on board a great deal of information about Spain.

We have heard little opposition to presumed consent, although there has been a question regarding finance. Savings of €60 million over a ten-year period were mentioned. Perhaps someone might touch on this matter. Such savings would address people's doubts in this regard.

I am frustrated by the length of time needed to get anything done in either House. We adjourned our debate and the then Minister for Health and Children, Ms Mary Harney, stated that she wished to take public opinion, but nothing has happened since. There are few voices against presumed consent, but such a system must be tied in with other factors. The only voice that was loudly not in favour of presumed consent was the Irish Kidney Association. What are its concerns?

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