Fine Gael TD for Mayo, John O’Mahony, has welcomed the measures announced in the HSE Service Plan which will see €3 million per year provided for organ donations. This follows on from, and will make practicable, the legislation proposed by Minister for Health James Reilly which aims to ensure that people have to opt out of donating their organs upon their death, rather than opt in. Deputy O’Mahony has lobbied intensively for the legislation to be introduced and for the funding to back it up. This was alluded to by former Gaelic footballer, Joe Brolly, and his friend Shane Finnegan in their statement welcoming the development which said:
“I am delighted by this development which will save lives and bring joy to many individuals and their families. I am proud to have played my part in supporting the Opt for Life campaign and I look forward to seeing it come to fruition. I commend Minister Reilly for introducing the opt in legislation and backing it up with the necessary funding. With the staffing and funding resources now available to Professor Egan at the National Transplant Office, Ireland can now be considered a world leader in the area of organ donation.”
