Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome Senator Ahearn's support for our efforts to increase the rate of deceased organ donation. I do not want to pre-empt any Bill but I am confident that when the Bill comes before both Houses, it will get a lot of cross-party support.

The Senator nailed it on the head when he said the proposal is to introduce a soft opt-out system of consent. Nobody will be forced and everyone will have the opportunity to opt out. It is important that message goes out there. The Department continues to work with the HSE's organ donation transplant Ireland, the intensive care units and the transplant hospitals, namely, Beaumont, Mater and St. Vincent's, in building a better future for organ donation in Ireland as we continue to recover from the pandemic.

The Bill will be accompanied by a campaign which will aim to ensure individuals understand the opt-out system and encourage individuals to have the conversation and make their wishes in relation to organ donation known to their next of kin and other family members. We look forward to the Bill coming before the Houses soon.