David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I too thank the Irish Kidney Association for the support it has given all of us and for the input and advice it has given us. I hope that the Bill is strengthened because of its input. I hope that when the Bill is passed it really does make a difference on a whole range of fronts. Obviously organ donation is really important and it is coincidental that the Irish Kidney Association was actually in the audiovisual room today giving a presentation with others and healthcare professionals, including the HSE lead in this area as well, in relation to kidney disease. Organ transplants are one part of that but it is the one that we hope we can avoid for people. A lot of the discussion was on prevention, treatment and raising awareness in relation to symptoms and so on. That is an area where we have to do an awful lot more work. I obviously support that element of the Bill in regard to organ donation and the objective of what we are trying to do. I welcome the amendment that the Minister has moved in consultation with the Irish Kidney Association. I am sure we will be back debating the effectiveness of the Bill once it comes into operation. I hope we all want it to succeed.

The very sensitive issue the Minister spoke about is also a very important part of this Bill, which is the retention and disposal of organ parts, particularly of children. We know that there were a lot of problems in many parts of the country. I have met many families here in Leinster House and over Zoom when we had Covid. I know how traumatic it was for them to learn that body parts of their children who were deceased were incinerated or sent abroad in the manner that happened. The amendments that we have now made to this Bill and what we are bringing in is really welcome. A lot of work has gone into this so I commend the Minister and his officials. We have been waiting for this Bill for a long time on a whole range of fronts. I commend the Minister on the work he has done in this area.

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