Written answers

Tuesday, 7 February 2006

Department of Health and Children

Organ Donation

9:00 pm

Photo of Brian O'SheaBrian O'Shea (Waterford, Labour)
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Question 257: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children the proposals she has to meet the concerns regarding organ donation and transplantation of a person (details supplied) in County Kerry; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [4325/06]

Photo of Mary HarneyMary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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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.

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 the person's 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.

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.

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