Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I start by congratulating Deputy Fleming on putting down this very sensible motion. It is fantastic that we have the time in the Oireachtas to raise it. As I examined the statistics of the issue, I was most puzzled by the fact we do not have a donation programme, and it is obvious that this is the right way to go. There is no compunction on anybody to be a donor and it is a very simple psychological switch between opting in and opting out of such action. That is not a criticism of the Government but I am puzzled as to why the Oireachtas has not debated this issue. I am delighted to hear there will be what sounds like a very comprehensive review, and as part of that the Government might examine why something that is so obvious and useful has not yet happened.

I was quite taken by the effectiveness of the opt-out policy. Austria has such a policy and has a registration rate of 99%, which is eight times that of Germany, which operates an opt-in policy and has a registration rate of 12%. There are 24 European countries with opt-out policies, so it is great that this issue has been raised. I am genuinely puzzled as to why it has not happened before, as there is obviously a great need for it. I have examined the figures and only 25% of the population hold donor cards; I hold up my hand, as I do not have one and I will have to get one after this debate. Last year, we had 560 people on the donor list but only 110 donors. It is a no-brainer, as there are waiting times of six to 12 months and our ranking in Europe is pretty bad. We are ranked 24th with regard to heart transplantation, 12th for pancreatic transplantation, 12th for liver transplantation and 15th for lung transplants. There is an obvious solution to that problem and there is a great need for us to improve. I hope that will happen soon.

There has been cross-party support in the Dáil for this process but the public does not seem to share our view. That may be why the rates are so low, and perhaps there has been political self-interest exhibited by Governments over many years that has led to the matter being neglected. A survey was done by thejournal.ie just a few days ago on 26 April, and I imagine to Deputy Fleming's credit, it was down to him putting the issue on the agenda. It is interesting as 46% of people indicated we should move to an opt-out policy, 45% indicated we should not and a small margin had no opinion on the matter. It was not a statistically significant sample and it clearly was not randomised but it indicates the responding population was split almost down the middle. There is an interesting disconnect between what we are saying in here and what the people we represent are saying around the country. It sounds like serious communication and debate must happen on the issue, and I was surprised that the public seems to be in no way fully behind such an initiative.

As Deputy Pringle and others have said, the acts of the Gaelic Athletic Association, GAA, and Mr. Brolly in particular, will go a long way, I hope, in raising the issue. I read in the papers yesterday that the GAA will have a full page in all match programmes throughout the year highlighting the matter, which I hope will be a phenomenal help. The Minister of State and her Government will have to bring the public along on this issue.

I will conclude by congratulating Deputy Fleming and welcoming the Minister of State's comments. I did not hear the Minister of State speak about timelines and it would be great to hear them. It is fantastic that there will be a report, as although it is in the programme for Government, it is not on the legislative agenda; no Bill has been tabled in this regard. I understand the need for a report but it would be great to have a specific timeline. We are approximately halfway through this Dáil and there may be a significant lead time if we take into account public consultation and debate, an expert group process and drafting of a Bill etc. I apologise if such a timeline has already been given but if it has not, perhaps the Minister of State could revert to the House to outline how this may be turned into law.

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