Jimmy Deenihan (Kerry North, Fine Gael)
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Question 262: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children if she will make it compulsory for all chemist shops to display organ donor cards; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [10842/06]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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The annual organ donor awareness campaign 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 will launch the 2006 donor awareness campaign on 28 March.

In the context of increasing the number of donor organs available for transplant, the Health Service Executive was 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. This review has commenced. My Department is advised by the Health Service Executive that arrangements have recently been put in place to facilitate the distribution of organ donor cards throughout the community pharmacy network. The Irish Pharmaceutical Union has arranged with the Irish Kidney Association on behalf of the Irish donor network for pharmacies to stock organ donor cards.