Mark Daly (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank colleagues for their kind words. I thank Senators Conway and Clifford-Lee. I thank the Minister for being here again because I know he has been discussing this issue. We said it before but it is no harm saying it again in respect of the Minister’s work on this. This is the first time the Oireachtas has passed legislation related to organ donation. I think Senator Conway was referring to an EU directive that was passed and signed into law by a previous Minister for Health. It was a directive that was added to by Government officials and officials in the Department of Health but it was never brought before the Dáil or Seanad nor was it discussed by the health committee in the Oireachtas. Democratically elected Members of this House had no opportunity at all to see that legislation before the Minister signed it into law. That statutory instrument, or ministerial order, as they are sometimes referred to, was amended two years later but no Member of the Oireachtas got a chance to see it. Senator Conway is now in charge of the committee that will prevent that from happening in the future. The long-winded title of it is the Seanad Select Committee on the Scrutiny of Draft EU-related Statutory Instruments. Basically, it will make sure any laws that are added to by Government Departments are seen by the Members of this House in advance. I thank Senators for their kind words and I thank the Minister for being here. Hopefully, this Bill will be passed in the coming few weeks and will be in Áras an Uachtaráin as soon as possible.