David Norris (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for their moral support in this matter. I value what Senator Hayden said but with regard to the point about educational purposes, perhaps I should have used the phrase “purported educational ... purposes”. Even so, it is such a minor procedure to take a DNA test. Accordingly, it would not be too excessive to ask for one, even where a display purports to be educational. The proprietors of these exhibitions always describe them as educational, but everything is educational if it needs to make a profit. That is my concern and I was not really thinking of genuine educational displays. However, there could even be a mistake with the sourcing of cadavers in such situations. One can go back to the days of Burke and Hare and the corpse stealers.

I am happy with the Minister's reply. I take it the preparation of the human tissue legislation means it is a firm commitment and that it will be introduced by the end of the year. On that basis, I am prepared to withdraw this amendment. While I do not see why we cannot put it into this legislation, and it would be good for the Seanad, there has been a Government ruling that it will not accept it. It has given an undertaking to this House that this will be dealt with in other legislation. I take it as another example of the Seanad being helpful and supporting the Government in what is a necessary move. I was not aware the Government intended to introduce such legislation but it is excellent that it is prepared to license these exhibitions and look for consent from the donors. There may well be people who would consent. Some people are exhibitionists in life; some are prepared to be exhibitionists post mortem. I shall have to consider my own position in this matter very carefully.

The Minister has satisfied my amendment. Like The Skibbereen Eagle, Seanad Éireann will be keeping its eye on the Department of Health to see if it will produce this legislation by the end of the year. If not, we will morally reprove the Government for breaking its promise. I am grateful to the Minister and to his advisers for providing this useful information, which is very welcome indeed. It may well be the result of the fact that several people raised this matter in the House when no one else did.