Paul Bradford (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I have found what my colleagues have said interesting and would like to add my few inadequate words. I welcome the Minister of State back to the House. It is only a few weeks since we were here debating a matter of life and death and the issue of organ donation is also very much a matter of life and death and we should reflect deeply on the opportunity to give life to hundreds of people across the country.

I would not see eye to eye with Senator Daly on most issues. I am certainly not a member of his Wind that Shakes the Barley school of politics, but I respect his right to have brought about this day of politics. I am rather surprised that so many people have been critical of him for trying to have the Seanad recalled, because during the month of August, virtually the entire political establishment seems comfortable to either attend various summer schools where they give their tuppence halfpenny worth of political ideology or else debate the great matters of politics and public policy across the opinion pages of the various daily papers. Yet, they are all very surprised when the place of politics, where ideas should be debated and policy enacted, the Oireachtas, is called upon to have a political debate. However, I welcome the fact we are here today debating a matter of public concern.

My friend and colleague, Senator Healy Eames, said she would await the Minister of State's response before deciding how to vote. I do not think similarly to Senator Healy Eames on all issues, but I am looking forward to hearing what she has to say. Everybody in the Houses wants to have a system in place where there is a maximum take-up and participation in the donation process. I was surprised to read in the fine note we got from the Library and Research Service of the House about the policy across the European union and beyond, which proves that as in all matters of life, this issue is not as simple as one would expect and that the view that an automatic opt-in would work better is not yet proven. This is a complex policy issue.

I am not an expert on the figures and I do not have significant information on this issue. However, a friend of mine who is in the Visitors Gallery today, has pointed out the situation in Bantry hospital to me. This is a small hospital in a small town in west Cork which, as a result of people being proactive on this issue, has been a major source of organ donation. This proves the need for a hands-on approach. I look forward to what the Minister of State has to say, but it would be remiss of us if we did not all concede that the way we do politics in the Houses and the country needs urgent reform. The fact we have not had this debate heretofore is not just the fault of the Government, but the fault of all governments and politicians because we rubber stamp so many decisions. We have handed over too much power to a central authority, to a small and new elite, the people who run the State. We the elected politicians, whether in the Dáil or Seanad, seem happy to rubber stamp decisions. We must move away from this.

If, by being here today, we show the need for political debate this would be helpful. On the subject of organ donation, we must also work together to engage and expand the programme. If we can do both of these, it would be a good day's work. I look forward to what the Minister of State has to say. I appreciate everyone wants the best possible solution. However, having been in the Houses a long time, I recognise the great fault in Irish politics, that government parties are always seen to be right and opposition parties are always seen to be wrong. It is never as simple as that.

Senator Daly has done us some service by bringing us back. He and his colleagues have made very cogent arguments as to why this motion should be approved. However, the Minister of State may be able to make an equally compelling argument. All I want to ensure is that once we leave here this afternoon, we will have done the best possible job for those people on the various transplant waiting lists and that we will have advanced their case and given them a real reason for hope. I thank the Minister of State for being here and urge him to approach the motion with an open mind. Nothing in politics or life is black and white. Nobody has perfect wisdom or knowledge. Senator Daly and his party colleagues and Independent Senators have put a good case. It remains to see how the Minister of State will respond. We will all try to deal with this subject not just sensitively, but in a fashion designed to give a degree of hope and optimism to the hundreds of people who want action.