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

I would like the Government to introduce a number of changes but I do not wish to place the onus on the Government as it is a societal issue. We should discuss the matter as a Parliament and as a people, especially those involved in advocacy, those who have benefited from an organ transplant and living donors. We must come to a mature decision on the best way forward. I would welcome the provision of empirical evidence to establish whether we should introduce the soft option – presumed consent, and whether hard consent or the current arrangement works best in similar countries.

I spoke about illegal organ harvesting in the committee last week. It is shocking to read some of the stories in that regard from other parts of the world. We must examine the issue. We must put pressure on the European Union to get it on the agenda internationally. We have a huge problem across the world with people being kidnapped and murdered in order to harvest their organs. In some cases vulnerable, poor people sell their organs. The trade is despicable and must be examined. Organs are being taken from people under duress through financial inducements in many cases or the threat of a gun or knife. It is happening on a daily basis. The organs are being implanted in people in First World countries because the necessary technology is not available in the countries where they are harvested.

We must examine the trade in illegal organs. I have read frightening reports, for example, that in Somalia and elsewhere in the Horn of Africa, people are being kidnapped and botched surgery is carried out to remove kidneys resulting in the death of victims. Such a practice is abhorrent. In some countries in Latin America and Asia people are induced to sell their organs, for example, a kidney. That is something we cannot tolerate. The more people that are aware of the value of organ donation and the life-giving chance it can provide the more likely they are to donate organs.

The debate is worthwhile. Varying views are held. I hope the debate does not become divisive. We have enough such debates in this House. It would be unfortunate if the views of one side or the other became entrenched because the winners are those who receive the organs and in many cases the donors, as we heard from the presentation by the Irish Kidney Association. We must strike a balance. Whether the donor is alive or deceased the gift of an organ can make such a difference. I heard Joe Brolly and others speak about the campaign on presumed consent and the soft opt-out. Regardless of what emerges from the discussions and the subsequent Government decision, the debate has raised awareness levels. I was previously unaware of the impact such decisions have on people’s lives.

I met people who have had transplants. Dr. Patrick Hennessy, a GP, was a dialysis patient for many years. He publicly advocated for organ donation. His family has been supportive of the Irish Kidney Association and of what needs to be done. Families derive great benefit from knowing that in hopeless cases when their loved one passes away that hope has been transferred to someone else who gets an improved quality of life. I commend the broad thrust of the motion to the House. I hope the debate does not become divisive and that we reach a situation where everyone in this country would want to donate their organs when they pass on.

See this speech in context