Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I second the motion. I am always puzzled that it takes so long to get anything done in the State bodies. I come from a business background where things seem to happen much more quickly. I am just stunned. The debate on the Human Body Organs and Human Tissue Bill 2008, which I introduced, was adjourned in October 2008 because the Minister of the day wanted to consult more widely on the matter. Admittedly, the Bill related to the opt-out issue and the question of presumed consent, which we are not debating today. It seemed to me at that stage that the Minister would come back to us very shortly after the consultation had taken place. Nothing has happened since October 2008, which was almost five years ago. I appreciate that the legislation in question related to presumed consent to facilitate organ transplantation, which is not what we are talking about in this case. It seems that many things need to take place if we are to achieve what needs to be achieved. There does not appear to be any sense of urgency at State level in this regard.

We saw the figures that were published during the week comparing the numbers of organ transplants that take place in Ireland and in other countries. They showed the very low standard we have in this country. We have not managed to make the first moves towards achieving what we need to achieve. I welcome the debate here today. I am delighted that Senator Daly has encouraged us to get involved in this matter. It seems to me that we need to get it higher on the agenda. The current system does not work too easily because of the delay in getting it off the ground. When I studied this matter in 2008 - as I have said, it was almost five years ago - my belief was that we should introduce a system of presumed consent. I have learned from the great work the Irish Kidney Association has been doing that this aspect of the matter is peripheral, to a certain extent, in the absence of co-ordinators and a single central body for organ donation and transplant. I think Dr. Jim Egan is the only person who has been there up to now. I am delighted to know that something is to happen. If we do not move on these things now, nothing will happen. This debate will be welcomed by those who are waiting for an organ donation.

I introduced the 2008 Bill because three people associated with one of the shops I was involved in at the time were waiting for transplants. Two of them got transplants in time. The third person - the son of one of our employees - got his transplant too late, however.

On Good Friday he had his transplant and he was awake and was able to watch the races in Fairyhouse on Easter Monday. He had a setback on the Wednesday and died on the Friday. It seems he had been waiting far too long for his transplant. We have many people waiting and waiting for transplants while most countries in Europe have a better and higher standard than we have.

I urge the Minister of State to use today's debate to good effect. We have not debated this issue. The Minister signed the European Union document last year, but we did not get the chance to debate it. I welcome the debate today, even if all it means is that we now move at a faster pace to ensure a single body for organ donation and transport comes into being and that we find we can establish co-ordinators in the various hospitals. On that basis, we will save the lives of many people who are waiting for transplants. Today's debate is an opportunity to do something about the situation. I look forward to hearing what the Minister of State will say and hope he will say that he recognises the need for something to be done and that the Government will do it. I urge him to do that today.