Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 274: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her policy in relation to encouraging people to participate in organ donation programmes; if a system will be introduced whereby there will be a national opt-out scheme on the assumption that a person who had not chosen to opt-out of the donor scheme are deemed to have given their consent in advance of their death of being an organ donor. [2868/06]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 275: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if, to get more people into the present organ donation programme, she will arrange to have a question in the forthcoming census asking people to tick a box if they agree to be an organ donor and, from the information obtained, a comprehensive national database will be established which can be assessed by the medical profession in the event of the possibility of organs becoming available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2869/06]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 276: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if the Irish Blood Transfusion Service will be asked to encourage its clients to complete organ donation cards on the basis that if they are prepared to donate their blood and are of a giving nature they will probably donate their organs in the event of their death (details supplied); and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2870/06]

Ruairi Quinn (Dublin South East, Labour)
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Question 277: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her views on making the necessary changes in legislation obliging doctors to ask family members in a manner (details supplied) about organ donation in the event of an untimely death on the basis that it could increase the number of organs that become available; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [2871/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 274 to 277, inclusive, together.

The annual organ donor awareness campaign, which is organised by the Irish Donor Network and administered by the Irish Kidney Association, highlights the necessity for organ donation generally. The campaign, which is supported by my Department, highlights the need for organ donors by promoting the carrying of an organ donor card. I thank the Deputy for his suggestions with regard to increasing organ donation rates, and my Department will write to the Central Statistics Office and the Irish Blood Transfusion Service to ascertain their views on the suggestions.

There are two systems that can be used to ascertain an individual's wishes on organ donation: the opt-in system and the opt-out system. The former system, which operates in this country, requires that the specific consent to donation of each person, or their relatives, be obtained before organs or tissues are removed. The opt-out system presumes that all citizens consent to donation unless they have specifically expressed a wish to the contrary.

The practice in this country is that, even when a person has indicated his or her willingness to donate organs by way of carrying an organ donor card, or a driving licence marked accordingly, the consent of the next of kin is always sought. It is likely that this would continue to be the case in the event that the initiatives suggested by the Deputy are implemented. Even where opt-out systems are in operation the relatives of the deceased are approached as part of the donor screening process to seek a medical history of any high-risk behaviour. Thus, the relatives will always be aware that a donation is being considered and can register an objection to the donation.

The European Commission is considering the question of a directive in respect of organ transplantation, including the issue of consent, and proposes to conduct a thorough scientific evaluation of the situation. It will present a report on its analysis to the Council of the European Union and it is expected that this report will inform decisions regarding the development of a legislative framework in this area. In the context of increasing the number of donor organs available for transplant, the Health Service Executive has been asked by the Department to undertake a review and analysis of the factors that impact on organ procurement and retrieval rates in hospitals around the country.