Feargal Quinn (Independent)

I read during the week that a professor in Columbia University posed the question to his students, as a matter for ethical debate, why 12% of people in one country might have agreed to be organ donors while the corresponding figure in a neighbouring country was 99.9%. The students discussed, among other issues, whether it was to do with religion or was a question of the availability of advanced surgery techniques. The answer was that the second country, Austria, has an opt-out or presumed consent system while the other, Germany, does not. I mention this in reference to the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008 which I introduced in this House and in respect of which Second Stage was adjourned in order to allow the then Government to consult on the proposals. In those countries which have an opt-out system, with well trained co-ordinators in hospitals, lives are saved. I am aware of concerns regarding such a system, but it is worthy of another debate in this House.

I received a letter during the week - I am not sure whether other Members received the same - on the subject of the regulation of betting shop opening hours. I have no particular enthusiasm for gambling, but it seems the relevant legislation has been in place since 1931. I understand betting shops, unless there is a horse race, must close at 6.30 p.m. from September until March. We might well ask whether this should be a matter of concern to us, but I am told that 6,000 people are working in betting shops and that 600 of them may lose their jobs in September. Although we may be not be enthusiastic about gambling, there is something to be said for at least reviewing regulations based on legislation introduced 80 years ago.

In the context of the horrific events in Norway, I remind colleagues that I have raised the question in this House of whether it is time to review our national anthem. I love the melody and the atmosphere of the composition, but it is perhaps time to reconsider the lyrics. It is a 32-county Ireland national anthem and I am not sure whether the lyrics, as we hear them in English, are suitable. No doubt some will point to the British or French national anthems, for example, as similarly bloodthirsty. However, at a time when we are concerned at the strong nationalist views expressed by people such as the individual in Norway, it may be time to set a standard by reviewing our anthem. It is a great tune but the lyrics date from the beginning of the last century and may need to be reconsidered.