Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I join with others in commending and thanking everybody involved in the production of this legislation, which is very weighty. There is no doubt about that, and a huge amount of work went into it. I also acknowledge the contribution of the Irish Kidney Association and indeed other groups and individuals that have assisted in improving the initial draft of this legislation.

I welcome the fact that we are moving to a new opt-out system and that legal certainty is being brought to it. I welcome the Minister's commitment to look at this further based on the operation of the legislation over the next three years.

The other point I would make is that we all hope that this is going to result in a substantial additional number of organs being available in order to save people's lives. That is what it is all about. That can only happen if the current supports that are available in hospitals and for the speedy transportation of organs and the availability of hospital beds, especially acute hospital beds, are adequately resourced. The law is one thing but the resources are another thing. I urge the Minister to ensure that those resources are prioritised. I thank everyone who was involved in this.

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