Feargal Quinn (Independent)

The Leader is aware of my concern about the length of time it takes to get things done in this country. The debate in this House on the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008 which provides for presumed consent was adjourned two years ago because the Minister said she wanted to consider the matter and consult certain interests before deciding whether presumed consent should be allowed. Almost two years have passed since. It seems we do not regard speed as important. People are dying because they are unable to get body organs that should be available.

Senators Mullen and Twomey have mentioned that we do not have an umbilical cord storage bank in Ireland. We should be storing umbilical cords rather than throwing away approximately 70,000 of them each year. An interesting article in yesterday's health supplement with The Irish Times opened our minds to the opportunities in this area. Many cases of multiple sclerosis, lymphoma, leukaemia and other cancers could be solved in this way. It is totally ethical. There is no problem with stem cells in this area. When one mentions stem cells, one sometimes raises many concerns and worries. In this case, we can take steps to save lives. People are dying because we are not taking the initial steps. No huge costs are associated with this. Storage takes place in other countries. We can do it here. I urge the Leader to draw the Minister's attention to what we can do immediately in this regard.