Deirdre Clune (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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Question 206: To ask the Minister for Health and Children the steps she will take to address the concerns the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland have about the need for reform of the organ donation and transplant system here and enactment of the Human Tissue Bill; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [27839/10]

Mary Harney (Dublin Mid West, Independent)
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The rates of organ donation vary widely between Member States of the European Union. Ireland consistently performs above the average EU rate of organ donation. In 2008, Ireland's annual rate was 18.4 organ donors per million of population, compared to the EU rate of 18.2. In 2009, Ireland significantly increased its level of organ donation to 20 organ donors per million of population, which is expected to again place it close to or above the average EU rate.

As part of a public consultation on consent for organ donation, the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland indicated that it favoured the current opt-in organ donation model with a preference for improvements to the organisation of the organ donation system. I intend to bring a draft General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill, which includes the issue of organ donation for transplantation, to Government for its approval. Subject to this approval, I will publish the General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill. Two separate but related public consultations took place in 2009 to inform the preparation of the draft legislation. The first was a consultation process on consent for organ donation which took place between January and March 2009, in which the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland participated. Invitations for written submissions were complemented by a consultative forum which took place in February in Dublin Castle. The second public consultation was in relation to proposals for a General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill which took place between April and May 2009. Information on these consultations is available on the Department's website. Consultations with Government Departments and Offices are on-going and the draft General Scheme of a Human Tissue Bill will be further developed based on the outcome of the consultations.

Notwithstanding Ireland's relatively strong performance in terms of organ donation, options to further improve organ donation should be open to consideration. With this in mind, I agreed with the Health Service Executive, as part of its 2010 Service Plan, that it will establish an organ donation and transplantation unit within its existing national structures and resources. This unit will provide a national focal point for reporting, monitoring and assessing organ donation and transplantation activities. It is appropriate that these functions be carried out at a national level, on the basis of regular, comprehensive performance data provided by all the transplant centres. This approach will provide a sound basis for evaluating performance and examining other issues related to organ donation and transplantation, including proposals such as those raised by key stakeholders, including the Cystic Fibrosis Association of Ireland.