Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy. We are planning a comprehensive public awareness campaign for when the Bill is commenced or shortly before it, whatever the appropriate timing is, so that people know this is a fundamental change in our society with regard to all our consent. We are moving from an opt-in to an opt-out system. From a few perspectives, we have an obligation to let people know that is what we are doing and the default for all of us is changing. We have an obligation to let people know, on that basis, that they can opt out, that there is a register and here is how they do it. Equally, on the Deputy's point, it is really important that family members know ahead of time, particularly when they are in such an awful situation where they might have to consider this for their loved one, that we have moved to an opt-out system. It is important that they are fully aware of their rights.