Martin Heydon (Kildare South, Fine Gael)
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66. To ask the Minister for Health his plans to introduce the opt-out process for organ donation; the process involved in the implementation of same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17012/18]

Simon Harris (Wicklow, Fine Gael)
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The Government approved the preparation of a General Scheme and Heads of a Human Tissue Bill last year. The proposed legislation will include provisions for a soft opt-out organ donation system and the establishment of an Organ Donor Register to record the decision of individuals to opt-out of organ donation.

If an individual registers her/his wish to opt-out of organ donation, the family will not be approached to discuss organ donation following her/his death. If an individual is not on the register it will be presumed that she/he had no objection to donating her/his organs. However, it is proposed that the next-of-kin will always be consulted prior to removing any organ. If the next-of-kin objects to the organ donation, the donation will not proceed.

Work on drafting the General Scheme is progressing and it is proposed to seek Government approval to publish the General Scheme shortly.