Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I endorse everything Deputy Ferris has said. The deadline is 31 March but I ask the Minister of State to consider rowing back on that deadline and entering into further discussions about data protection. I do not think the full import of the destruction of these cards has been considered. It would be a very great loss of genetic information in the context of modern technology and advances in genetic and DNA diagnostics. Once these cards are destroyed we will never be able to recover that information. The Irish Heart Foundation has strong views on this issue, explaining that these samples contain priceless genetic information that can be used to identify people at risk of sudden cardiac death. Unless the destruction is halted, we will lose the only remaining opportunity to obtain a genetic diagnosis for the extended family members of more than 1,000 infants, children and young adults who were victims of sudden cardiac death. Those cards are in the possession of the State. Cardiac conditions which may be fatal if untreated could go undetected with the destruction of these cards.

As Deputy Ferris pointed out, an opt-out system is available in other countries; the destruction of a card is only done at the request of the owner. I am convinced that most people do not know this is being planned. This debate may be of benefit in raising awareness of what is going to happen if the deadline is not extended beyond 31 March 2013. An extension would at least allow people to request the retention of these cards if that is possible.

I urge an extension of the deadline and further discussion. As Deputy Ferris said, the human tissue Bill may be a legislative mechanism for addressing this issue to ensure that this very important body of DNA information is retained rather than destroyed. Such destruction could cost lives, particularly considering the advances in DNA and genetic diagnostics.

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