Dáil debates
Wednesday, 8 November 2023
Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Bill 2022: Report and Final Stages
4:15 pm
David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source
We discussed this at great length on Committee Stage. The discussions the Minister has had with the Irish Kidney Association and his amendment pre-empted the amendments we moved. These are very lengthy amendments that were crafted by the association. The association's main ask was for an opt-in and an opt-out and absolute certainty that if a decision had to be made, the family could take comfort from the fact that the person's expressed wishes are clearly being delivered.
We had a lengthy over and back on this. If the Minister remembers what was agreed, it was that he would meet with Opposition Deputies and members of the Oireachtas Joint Committee on Health and we would try to agree an amendment to deal with this. I accept that we have to put the foundations in, get this right and start somewhere. The Irish Kidney Association provided comparisons with other countries, including Great Britain, in terms of what has worked there.
I will not labour the point. I have already acknowledged the Minister's engagement, which has given me the comfort I need that we can review this if this needs to be reviewed. That is the most important thing. I do not want to hold this Bill up. We want this Bill passed. We all accept that what is being done here is really important. If we do need to change and review how this is done, we can come back to it in the future. On that basis, I will not press the amendment to a vote.
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