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Rules on organ donation to change in June

The Minister for Health is to commence parts of 2024 legislation that cover organ donation and transplantation on 17 June. 

Jennifer Carroll MacNeill said that the move would provide, for the first time, a national legislative framework for donation and transplantation services in Ireland. 

The Human Tissue (Transplantation, Post-Mortem, Anatomical Examination and Public Display) Act 2024 regulates the use of human tissue in Ireland. The minister is to commence part 2 of the act next month. 

Consent deemed 

The act introduces a ‘soft opt-out’ system of consent for organ donation, under which consent will be deemed unless the person has, while alive, registered a wish not to become an organ donor after death. 

This is a change from the current system where decisions on organ donation are the responsibility of the next-of-kin. 

The act will also expand pathways for living and altruistic organ donations. 

The Department of Health said that the announcement of the change had been made to coincide with this year’s Organ Donor Awareness Week.