Dáil debates

Friday, 21 February 2014

1:10 pm

Photo of Catherine ByrneCatherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak in this debate. This issue is all about making choices.

Following consultation with the relevant stakeholders and a series of in-depth meetings last year, the health committee, of which I am a member, compiled its report on organ donation and recommended changing the current opt-in organ donor system to an opt-outsystem. The committee members believe that changing to an opt-out system could significantly increase the rate of organ donation in this country. However, it is important to note that the family or the next of kin will still have the opportunity to say "No" if they desire when their loved one is in this difficult position.

Most countries in the EU have already changed to an opt-out system, where patients must express their wish not to donate.

Otherwise, medical staff will presume that they are donors. However, in this country we use an opt-in system, which means that people have to give consent before their organs can be donated. The proposal for an opt-out system has the potential to deliver real long-term savings for the health service, not to mention the long-term benefits for the lives of those who have organ transplants.

To introduce this new opt-out option, we must also plan ahead and ensure the health service is equipped to deal with increased organ donations. For example, we would need more transplant surgeons and trained support staff. I, therefore, welcome the decision by the Minister for Health to include in the HSE service plan for 2014 an additional €2.9 million for organ donation and transplantation, which will go towards the provision of 19 new posts in this field. I also welcome the Minister's announcement last year of approval for 30 posts at various levels for the expansion of kidney transplantation services at Beaumont Hospital and the development of urology services at Connolly Hospital, Blanchardstown. The Minister also approved €5 million for phase 1 of the kidney transplant expansion programme in Beaumont Hospital.

It will also be important to introduce a dedicated public awareness campaign once the system is implemented in order that people will know their options. If they want to opt-out, the system must be straightforward. An online opt-out system has been suggested and this suggestion should be carefully considered. We need to make it as simple as possible for those who need to make such choices. Awareness of this issue is very important and the annual organ donor awareness week is central to improving it. It is also important for each of us to talk to our families and loved ones about how we feel about organ donation. It is not an easy conversation but an important one.

Let us remember that at the heart of this issue is the generosity of grief stricken families who make the agonising decision to allow the organs of a loved one to be donated. They give many people who are seriously ill a second chance, a lifeline. Many recipients can continue to live a normal life and see their children reared. People can see fathers, mothers and loved ones continue to have some semblance of life. On Tuesday, 24 February 20 years ago my brother-in-law, Mario Byrne, was taken from this earth. He had been involved in a hit and run incident. We got a call that evening at about 10 p.m. to go to St. James's Hospital where he was in a serious condition. I did not go, but my husband did with his mother and father. Mario was transferred to Beaumont Hospital. I received a call in the early hours of the morning from my husband to say the doctor had told him, his mother and father that Mario was on a life support machine and that the chances of him surviving were very slim. We took the opportunity in the following couple of days, while waiting for loved ones to come from America and other parts of the world to see Mario before he departed this world. I remember being in the waiting room where all of us had gathered when the consultant came in. He said Mario had a donor’s card which he had signed a long time ago. We were all so proud to think a young man of 20 had made a decision unknown to us all. When the doctor turned to my mother-in-law and father-in-law, he said they could make the decision also, if they did not feel they could go through with it. Mario’s mother’s words were that if Mario’s organs would give life to somebody else, then the doctor should take what he wanted. To this day I am reminded of the words, “Take what you want,” because we live in a world where people do take what they want and sometimes do not appreciate what they have. As I am a religious person, I do believe blessed is the man who gives up his own life to save others. I will continue to believe this because there are so many people who are willing to take up a donor’s card and the new system will help this to an even greater extent. Each year I attend the Irish Kidney Association’s special donor mass. It brings comfort to those who have lost loved ones and gives an opportunity to recipients to say, "Thanks," even though we will never know who the seven people were whose lives were changes forever by the donation of Mario’s organs.

I agree with Deputies Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, Mary Mitchell O'Connor, Frank Feighan and others who spoke previously about the health committee. Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin said it more eloquently than I could ever say it. It is a committee of which I have been a member since I was elected to the House and it works well. It holds no political stance and is admirably chaired by Deputy Jerry Buttimer who, when it is in a difficult situation or holding difficult hearings, keeps calm and shows sensitivity to speakers and witnesses alike. It was a very sensitive time for many of us when we debated the issue of organ donation. I found it stressful at times to listen to some of the contributors. As others have done, I thank the staff because without committee staff, we would not be able to function or to do so as well as we do. I pay tribute to those delegates who attended – the experts, non-experts, those who had lost loved ones and especially those who had gained their life back because that is what this debate and report is all about. I commend the report to the Minister and urge him to put his ducks in a row as speedily as possible to bring forward all of the recommendations made in the report. Many families are waiting at home for a call to say their loved one has been chosen for an organ, which is a lifeline.

I thank the Minister for his presence. I also thank Deputy Jerry Buttimer for his wonderful commitment and all of the members of the health committee who do an extraordinary job. I am privileged to be part of the committee.

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