Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, "That No. 18, Food Provenance Bill 2013, which it is hoped to introduce next week, be taken before No. 1 today".

Another issue to which I wish to draw attention, in which Senator Mark Daly will have a particular interest, is the drop in the number of organ donations in Ireland recently. Researchers have found that social media, such as Facebook, can dramatically increase the number of organ donation registrations. A study from John Hopkins University School of Medicine revealed a 21-fold boost in the number of people registering in one day after a social media push, suggesting it is an effective tool to address organ shortages in some countries. We have had a real problem in Ireland recently. I am aware much work is being done in this area. Perhaps there are steps that can be taken to save lives. A number of people will die this year because we did not manage to get organ donations through in the same numbers as in the past. Three years ago we had a Bill on the issue which was adjourned but I know there are steps to be taken. I understand the Minister has more steps in mind for the future and that Senator Daly has taken some steps in this area also. Let us ensure that we do not continue just to talk about it, but do something about it.