Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Over 1,100 people will participate in the World Transplant Games, which begin in Gothenburg in Sweden tomorrow. Some 33 Irish recipients of body organ transplants will be involved in the games. I am sure we all wish them every success. I mention the games because almost three years ago, this House considered the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008, the objective of which was to provide for presumed consent. A number of other countries, particularly Spain which has almost twice the rate of transplants as Ireland, have legislated for presumed consent. I accept that the higher rate in Spain cannot be entirely attributed to presumed consent. Presumed consent means that when somebody dies, it is presumed that his or her body organs can be used for transplant purposes, unless he or she objected to it or carried a card saying he or she did not want it to happen.

When the Bill I mentioned was strongly debated in this House, the then Minister for Health and Children said she wanted the matter to be considered on a national basis. We have not heard a word about it since. I understand that when a debate on a Bill is adjourned in this House, the Bill falls when the Government changes. I would like the Leader to find out whether any action will be taken in this regard. Should we reinstate the Bill, in the hope that the new Minister will actually give us a response, so that it can be debated in the House once more? I believe there is a strong case to be made for presumed consent. It is understandable that there should be a debate about it. I would welcome an opportunity to have such a debate and, if necessary, to reintroduce the Bill. If the present Minister for Health intends to do something about it, we will not need to start all over again. We adjourned the Second Stage debate on the Bill with three minutes to go. It would be worthwhile to reintroduce it if the Minister deems it worthy of consideration.