Date of issue: immediate
Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, part of the Irish Donor Network, has today welcomed Cabinet approval of the Human Tissue Bill. This is the first stage of this important Bill and includes enabling legislation for a national legislative framework for donation and transplant services in Ireland. It will bring Ireland into line with international best practice for governance of human tissue matters.

Philip Watt, CEO of Cystic Fibrosis Ireland, and Chairperson of the Irish Donor Network, comments:
“Cystic Fibrosis Ireland today warmly welcomes Cabinet approval of the Human Tissue Bill and the Government’s stated commitment to increase organ donation and transplantation rates in Ireland and to make organ donation the norm in Ireland. 

“The Human Tissue Bill will help achieve this goal by increasing the potential number of donors through, in particular:

• Introducing a soft opt-out system of consent for organ donation meaning that, when a person dies, it is presumed that they would wish to donate their organs after their death, unless they have registered to opt out. Next of kin will continue to be fully consulted – this is a very important part of the proposed process.
• Providing a framework for donation from living donors including by establishing pathways for non-directed altruistic living organ donation (this applies to kidney donation primarily).

“The five solid organs that have the potential to be transplanted are lungs, heart, kidneys, liver and pancreas. With hundreds of people waiting for a transplant in Ireland, measures that increase the transplant rate are truly life-saving and are to be welcomed, but they also need more resources. 

“It is important to note that those who object to organ donation, for whatever reason, can record their objection on a forthcoming online Register and this decision will be fully respected. Equally, family members will always be consulted before any proposed transplant proceeds. This is very reassuring. 

“Transplant and donor rates in Ireland have the significant potential to be improved by this legislation, if accompanied by the necessary resources and public awareness supports.

“In this regard, Cystic Fibrosis Ireland welcomes the government's commitment to provide a public awareness and education programme that will explain the changes in relation to organ donor consent.

“The ‘gift of life’ makes a huge difference for many patients with lung diseases such as cystic fibrosis (CF). There are around 120 patients with CF that have received a transplant of double lungs. Soft opt-out organ donation is the approach adopted by our neighbours in England, Scotland and Wales, and most EU countries, including those with the most successful transplant programmes. Ireland now has the potential to become one of the top 10 countries in Europe for organ donation and transplantation.”

ENDS