Feargal Quinn (Independent)

We debated legislation dealing with organ donation this time two years ago, but the debate was adjourned and the legislation has not been implemented. Something should happen in this area. I would like to read a few paragraphs from an article in today's edition of The Timesabout an couple who lost their five year old child. It reads:

When the medics were trying to save Luca's life, I asked a doctor what his chances were of surviving, and he said we were looking at the worst-case scenario.

It's a scenario which no parent wants to be faced with, but it was at that stage that we discussed organ donation.

We mentioned it to the ward matron that we would like him considered for donation because we wanted something positive to come out of this.

We send Luca's organs with love to all these people, especially to the little girl who they told us was just days away from dying.

She is now expected to leave hospital on Friday and be home in time for Christmas.

Luca did a lot of things in his short life whereas these two children have never been out of hospital and now hopefully they will get the chance to live similar lives.

He was such a lively lad who never sat still and he had such a sunny disposition and was a very happy little boy.

He was a five year, alive and well and healthy when suddenly he got a disease and died.

I mention the case of that boy because if the Seanad is not to survive, let us make sure we get something done and can look back and say we achieved this much. We need to make sure there will be more organ donations. The proposal put to the House was that there be an opt-out of organ donation. In addressing the issue we have to find a way to save lives. This is something we could do. Our record on organ donation is very poor and the number of organs donated is only half that in Spain where a different system is in place. There are co-ordinators in hospitals to encourage organ donation. When the parents in the case cited received the news that their child was going to die, they said they would love to think something positive could happen. Four children's lives have been changed: one child has been saved, another has probably been saved, while the other two can now leave hospital.

This is an issue on which we can act in this House. I, therefore, urge the Leader to knock on the door of the Minister to say we should not leave matters as they are, that we must do something in this area. The introduction of legislation providing for an opt-out clause or presumed consent is the correct way to go, but I am not saying it is only way. Such a measure, combined with the provision of co-ordinators in hospitals, is one way to save lives.