Kevin O'Keeffe (Cork East, Fianna Fail)
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946. To ask the Minister for Health the proposals in place to introduce an opt-out model of organ donation scheme here similar to the schemes in many European countries. [37390/17]

Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick City, Labour)
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1056. To ask the Minister for Health if a decision has been made on the proposal to introduce a soft opt-out model of organ donation here; if not, the timeframe for a decision regarding same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37701/17]

Róisín Shortall (Dublin North West, Social Democrats)
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1087. To ask the Minister for Health if he will respond to renewed calls for a soft opt-out system of organ donation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37824/17]

John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail)
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1177. To ask the Minister for Health the progress he is making regarding the introduction of a soft opt-out organ donation system; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [38187/17]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 946, 1056, 1087 and 1177 together.

In July 2017 the Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme and Heads of a Human Tissue Bill. The General Scheme will include provisions for an opt-out system of consent for organ donation. Under this system, consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered his/her wish not to become an organ donor after death. However, the next-of-kin will always be consulted prior to removing any organ.

One of the aims of the legislation is to make organ donation the norm in Ireland when people pass away in circumstances in which donation is a possibility. The introduction of an opt-out system of consent for organ donation will be accompanied by a publicity campaign aimed at raising awareness of organ donation and encouraging discussion among families of the intentions of family members in relation to organ donation.

A public consultation on the proposed Human Tissue Bill commenced on 28 August. The consultation questionnaire is available online at and the closing date for submissions is 9 October 2017.