Richard Bruton (Dublin North Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 227: To ask the Minister for Health and Children if she has received a report on the activities of the heart and lung transplant unit here; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that patients have to opt either to go on the Irish list or on the list for Newcastle-on-Tyne; the reason for requiring this restriction on choice; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [16581/09]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Progressive Democrats)
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I have received the 2008 Annual Report of the Organ Procurement Service from Beaumont Hospital. This report outlines activity data for organ donation and organ transplantation in Ireland for 2008 for all solid organs, including hearts and lungs. Heart and lung donation and transplantation are particularly challenging. In 2008, there were eighty-one organ donors, from which ten hearts, seven single-lungs and one double-lung were retrieved for transplant. Four hearts and four single-lungs were transplanted into matching patients in Ireland. The other organs were sent overseas for transplant operations.

I am aware that patients have to opt to go on one transplant list. This is to ensure that potential organ recipients in Ireland and the United Kingdom are treated equally in terms of access to organs that become available so that one group is not disadvantaged compared to the other. As the details of the operation of the organ transplant list is a service matter, it has been referred to the HSE for direct reply.

In relation to organ donation and transplantation generally, my Department has published draft proposals to regulate organ donation and transplantation for public consultation. My Department, with the HSE, is also investigating other issues in the area of organ donation and transplantation with a view to improving the system.