Feargal Quinn (Independent)

Last night's debate in Trinity College was worthy of attendance, and it was attended by many Members from this House. I congratulate Senator Bacik for managing to explain the position of the Seanad to those who were there. I support Senator Mac Conghail's proposed changes to invite other speakers in here in future. The Leader was there last night and he heard the words of praise for the changes he made in the past year. I believe that there is a strong case to be made for a strong Seanad in the future. That case is in our hands in this House. It was very well made last night. We were taken through an interesting historical debate from ancient Greece and Rome to the Americas in 1787 and right up to the 20th and 21st centuries. There is a very strong case to be made for a second Chamber to scrutinise legislation, to make sure that we do not leave everything in the hands of one House. That case was started yesterday, but we can make it in the future in here.

I would like the Leader to find time to debate the issue of those who are dying because they have not received the available organs for transplant. We may have read last week that organ transplants increased last year from 12 per million to 20 per million, which is very high, but 20 per million in Ireland is a tiny number. Another country of our size, Croatia, has 30 transplants per million, while it is 34 per million in Spain. There are changes taking place all around the world. I am not saying it has to be presumed consent. We debated this a few years ago and it was adjourned. There are other things taking place. In New Jersey, there are plans to let the health insurers refuse transplant cover to anybody who does not sign an organ donation card.

We should have a debate here. People are dying in Ireland because we have not got a high enough rate of organ donation. We can do something about it and this House can lead the way.