Major rule changes for organ donations come into effect from today

A new law that makes everyone in Ireland an organ donor unless they opt-out has come into effect from today, Tuesday June 17.

The first phase of the Human Tissue Act 2024 will mean everybody who dies will be considered an organ donor unless they have opted-out during their lifetime or are included in an excluded group. If a person does not register to take back that consent, they will be considered a potential organ donor and their family will be asked to give final consent.

Speaking on the new act, which will allow for altruistic living organ donation to strangers that need it most, Minister for Health Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said,

"In commencing this part of the Act, we are providing, for the first time, a national legislative framework for donation and transplantation services in Ireland.

"The legislation introduces 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 objected to donation.

"This is a significant moment for healthcare in Ireland, and respecting potential donors' wishes will be fundamental to it. Family members will always be consulted before any action is taken."

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The new system is said to increase the number of donor organs for over 600 people currently on the transplant list, according to the HSE.

Speaking to RTÉ's Morning Ireland, the National Advocacy and Projects Manager with the Irish Kidney Association Colin White has urged the public to discuss their wishes with their family in relation to organ donation.

"Empower your family to be your advocate in the event of you being a potential organ donor," he said.

While the change in legislation will not be a major "game changer", Mr White said the association would "view it as a very positive piece in the overall jigsaw that makes up organ donation for transplantation".

"It's changing the public narrative from querying whether organ donation is something people have considered, to asking the question: is there any reason they'd have to object to organ donation going ahead?"