Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 5:

In page 24, between lines 23 and 24, to insert the following: “Report on adequacy of infrastructure and resources to support organ donation

17. The Minister shall, within one year of the passing of this Act, lay a report before both Houses of the Oireachtas examining the adequacy of the infrastructure and resources required to support organ donation, including intensive care unit beds and dedicated healthcare professionals.”.

This amendment concerns a request for a report of the adequacy of infrastructure and resources to support organ donation. As stated earlier, we are all hoping that this legislation will result in a very significant increase in the number of transplants. However, the worst possible outcome would be where there are additional organs available and we do not have the infrastructure or staff to actually utilise those organs and save people's lives. I am proposing that one year after this legislation comes into force, the Minister should produce and lay before the Houses a report setting out an examination of the adequacy of the infrastructure and the staff resources required to support organ donation, including intensive care unit beds and dedicated healthcare professionals. This is a reasonable proposal because, given the shortcomings in both resources and staffing across the health service, we must ensure that the same problems are not set and enhanced and expanded in the organ donation service. I would hope the Minister would support that proposal.